The National Vice Chairman of the Labour Party representing the South-East, Ceekay Igara, was detained by the police on what is purported to be the governor of Abia, Dr. Alex Otti’s instruction. The leadership of the party has demanded his release.
The Labour Party has condemned the alleged political interference in Igara’s detention and called for transparency in the legal process. They have also vowed to pursue all legal avenues to ensure his immediate release.
In a statement released on Saturday in Abuja, the party’s Deputy National Chairman, Dr. Ayo Olorunfemi, made this demand.
According to Mr. Olorunfemi, Mr. Igara was meeting with some party leaders in Abia when he was swarmed by police and taken away without an arrest order.
“Labour Party leadership is completely taken aback by this development, especially since it is occurring at the behest of the party’s sole state governor,” he declared. The party fears that Dr. Alex Otti, for whom it ran a campaign in the 2023 gubernatorial race and supported his win, has suddenly evolved into a tiger prepared to destroy the party. The reason behind the quick shift to begin the worst onslaught against the leadership by the same governor who, just months earlier, had supported the party during our convention remains unknown to the Labour Party. In an attempt to usurp control from our leadership, he organized a caretaker committee after hosting the extended stakeholders’ gathering in Abia.
Mr. Olorunfemi stated that the party extended an olive branch to the governor following the judges’ recognition of Julius Abure’s leadership and the legitimacy of the Nnewi convention.
“We genuinely don’t know why he is still putting so much effort into undermining and destroying the same party that provided him with refuge when he most needed it. It is unexpected that he has turned to using an antiquated and violent method of political intimidation. It’s a common belief that a man’s actual personality is revealed by power, not that power transforms him.
His humanitarian demeanor deceived us, as we were unaware that he was only disguising his genuine oppressive nature. Thus, we are requesting Comrade Ceekay Igara’s instant release from police arrest,” he uttered.
Mr. Olorunfemi pointed out that the police ought to charge Mr. Igara in court within the next 24 hours, as required by law, as opposed to detaining him. “It is imperative that justice is served promptly and fairly in this matter, Mr. Olorunfemi concluded, emphasizing the importance of upholding the rule of law in such cases. The community stands united in demanding transparency and accountability from the authorities.
