Imo Labour Party crisis deepens as party executives reject suspension by chairman

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Some members of the State Working Committee, or SWC, of the embattled state chairman Callistus Ihejiagwa, who has been accused of financial impropriety, abuse of power, and anti-party activities, have rejected the suspension of some executive committee members. 

Speaking to journalists in Owerri, the party’s legal adviser, Barrister Emeka Eze Ihejirika, stated that the chairman does not have the authority to suspend any party member because he has not yet cleared himself of the numerous accusations made against him. This appears to be the latest development in the crisis roiling the Imo State Chapter of the Labour Party.

Ihejirika, who is also impacted by the suspension, said that the chairman hurriedly called a meeting of those members he referred to as his loyalists in order to divert attention away from the main concerns at hand, rather than responding to the numerous accusations made against him.

“Recall that 14 members of the SWC had, last week, passed a vote of no confidence in Ihejiagwa, citing high-handed leadership, financial mismanagement, unconstitutional actions, and betrayal of the party.

“Some of the allegations against him include: running the party like a personal fiefdom by sidelining key officials and making unilateral decisions without consultation; refusing to account for party funds and engaging in financial mismanagement. He was also accused of being a lackey of the APC, as well as illegally usurping SWC functions, restructuring the party’s leadership at both state and local levels without due process, among other allegations,” Ihejirika said.

The party’s legal advisor expressed regret that Ihejiagwa chose to suspend SWC members rather than address the accusations, characterizing the move as a last-ditch effort to quell resistance inside the party.

He made a suggestion that Owerri Zone stakeholders had denounced Ihejiagwa’s conduct, calling it a misuse of authority and a danger to the party’s credibility.

“At a zonal meeting, attended by notable leaders including Honourable Attorney Mathew Nwogu, the Member representing Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala in the House of Commons, and Honourable Clinton Amadi, the Member representing Owerri Municipal in the Imo State House of Assembly, expressed shock over Ihejiagwa’s leadership style.

“The zone called for a thorough review of Ihejiagwa’s actions and financial dealings, stating that his leadership had become detrimental to the party’s growth in the state. They further mandated all those unconstitutionally removed by the chairman to resume their rightful positions, emphasising that his actions have no constitutional basis,” Ihejirika further said.

The chairman’s attempt to suspend party executive committee members without responding to accusations against him, according to the legal counsel, is an attempt to subvert the party’s established protocols.

ZINGTIE recalls that at their State Executive meeting, which was recently held in Owerri, the party chairman had previously suspended 14 members of the State Working Committee and others.

He claimed that the suspended members had engaged in egregious indiscipline, which may have damaged the party’s reputation.

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