The internal crisis within the Ebonyi State chapter of the Labour Party (LP) deepened over the weekend as a key chieftain and the party's secretary, Comrade Innocent Igiri, declared his intention to back the reelection bid of Governor Francis Nwifuru and soon officially join the All Progressives Congress (APC) along with his supporters.
Zoning Dispute Triggers Defection
Speaking with journalists in Abakaliki, Igiri explained that his decision to leave the LP and support the ruling party stemmed from the party's zoning of the governorship ticket to the southern part of the state, which he said violates the principle agreed upon by the founding fathers. He stated, “Our governorship candidate hails from Afikpo in the south instead of the north, and I have told our leaders that we are making a big mistake by fielding someone from the south, but they kept a deaf ear.”
Igiri elaborated on the zoning agreement: “Our founding fathers had an agreement after the creation of the state that the governorship position should rotate among the three senatorial zones: Ebonyi North, Ebonyi South, and Ebonyi Central. Ebonyi North took the first turn from 1999 to 2007 with Dr. Sam Egwu as governor; the Central had Chief Martin Elechi from 2007 to 2015; and Sen. David Umahi had the turn of the south from 2015 to 2023. Now it is the turn of the north with Builder Francis Nwifuru as governor; he should be allowed to complete his tenure as others had done.”
Collective Decision and Achievements
Igiri emphasized that his group is committed to justice, equal rights, and fairness. He added that Governor Nwifuru's achievements in peace-building, infrastructure development, and human capital advancement over his three years in office were also key factors in his decision. The endorsement, he said, was a collective resolution reached after an expanded meeting with coordinators of his political structure across all 13 local government areas of the state.
“We have endorsed Governor Nwifuru for the 2027 general elections; the resolution is for all of us, FON all the way,” Igiri declared.
Dismissal of Critics and Warning to Party
The former two-term acting chairman of the LP dismissed criticisms from internal political opponents, insisting that his group would not be swayed by pressure to reconsider. He alleged attempts by some individuals to influence members of his structure to abandon the endorsement, but stressed such efforts would not succeed.
Igiri praised the governor's leadership, describing him as accessible and people-oriented. “We have a governor that listens to the people, apart from his other achievements in peacebuilding, education, human and capital development, infrastructure, among others. He has ears, a governor that is reachable, and a governor that has never arrested an opposition leader. He is a governor that has value to people who are criticising his government.”
He acknowledged the internal crisis rocking the LP, warning that it will explode very soon. He stated that if urgent steps are not taken to resolve the crisis before the 2027 general election, the party will be doomed and may not win any seat.
