- The LP claimed Ceekay Igara was whisked by police without an arrest warrant.
- The party demanded the immediate release of its national vice chairman (southeast).
The Labour Party faction led by Julius Abure has accused Abia Governor Alex Otti of misusing police power to intimidate and harass party members.
Ayo Olorunfemi, LP deputy national chair, stated in a Saturday statement that police arrested Ceekay Igara, national vice chairman for the south-east, on Otti’s order.
Igara was detained in Aba during a party leaders’ meeting without a valid arrest warrant, Olorunfemi said.
“Labour Party leadership is totally in shock over this development, particularly as it is coming on the orders of the party’s only state governor,” he said.
The party is concerned that Dr. Alex Otti, whom they supported in the 2023 governorship election, has suddenly turned against them.
“Labour Party is still at a loss over what may have caused the same governor who, a few months ago, stood by the party during our convention but suddenly turned to launch the worst offensive on the leadership.”
Olorunfemi expressed surprise at Otti’s sudden change, citing his hosting of a stakeholders’ meeting and formation of a caretaker committee to seize power.
After the court validated Abure as LP national chair, the party extended an “olive branch” to Otti.
“We’re sincerely at a loss why Alex Otti, once sheltered by the Labour Party, now works hard to destabilise and destroy it using brute, anachronistic political intimidation,” Olorunfemi said.
“Power revealed Alex Otti’s true nature, exposing a tyrannical leader masquerading behind a humane posture, contradicting our initial impression of his character.”
Olorunfemi demanded Igara’s immediate release, emphasizing that he should be charged to court within 24 hours as specified by law.
Verifying the controversy, Abia police spokesperson Maureen Chinaka told TheCable that Igara was invited following a petition over alleged impersonation.
“The Abia State Police Command received a written petition from the Labour Party’s Acting State Chairman against Mr. Ceekey Igara,” Chinaka said.
“Igara and three others were accused of alleged impersonation, obtaining by false pretense, and conduct likely to cause breach of peace.”
” Detectives invited Igara to the Command Headquarters on October 19, 2024, took his statement, and released him the same day.
The police spokesperson added that investigation is ongoing into the matter.