The leadership of the Labour Party has decried the arrest of its National Vice Chairman, South East, Comrade Ceekay Igara, by the Nigerian police on the orders of Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti.
Obiora Ifoh, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, said in a press statement that Comrade Igara was arrested in Aba while holding a party meeting with some of the party leaders when they were surrounded by the police and whisked away without any warrant.
“The 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.
“The Labour Party is still at a loss over what may have caused some people who a few months ago stood by the party during our convention to suddenly turn and launch the worst offensive at the leadership.
Meanwhile, the party said that the courts affirmed the leadership of Barrister Julius Abure and declared the Nnewi Convention valid.
The party had subsequently issued an olive branch to some of them, hoping that they would seize the golden opportunity to retrace their steps and reintegrate themselves into the party. We are sincerely at a loss as to why he is still working hard to destabilise and destroy the same party that gave him shelter when he needed it most.
“It is surprising that he has resorted to introducing brute and anachronistic forms of political intimidation. The arrest of our zonal chairman is the height of their political savagery and an indication of the kind of people they really are.
“It is often said that power does not change a man; rather, power only brings out the true nature of a man. We were fooled by his humane posture, not knowing that he was just masquerading his tyrannical true self.
“We are therefore demanding the immediate release of Comrade Ceekay Igara from the custody of the police or that he be charged to court within the next twenty-four hours, as specified by the law.”
