A former House of Representatives candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Anambra State, Prince Hez Okonkwo, has reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty to the party and his staunch support for Mr Peter Obi, declaring that the Labour Party cannot exist without Obi’s leadership.
Okonkwo, who ran as the LP candidate for Ihiala Federal Constituency in the 2023 general elections, made this declaration in a statement he personally signed on Thursday.
Reacting to rumours circulating on social media that he participated in a press conference organized by the embattled national chairman of the Labour Party, Mr Julius Abure, Okonkwo dismissed the claims as baseless.
He stated, “My attention has been drawn to a malicious propaganda and campaign of calumny targeted at my person by certain political interests in Anambra State.
In their latest effort to paint me black and create a bogus image, a screenshot from Channels Television news aired on Monday, September 9, 2024, where former LP Chairman Julius Abure addressed a press conference, is being circulated, purporting that I was present. This is nothing but a fabrication.”
Okonkwo clarified that he was neither invited to nor attended the press conference, which took place in Abuja, while he was in Kaduna State attending to personal business.
Addressing his relationship with Obi, Okonkwo noted that their longstanding friendship predates the 2023 elections.
He asserted that Peter Obi remains the face of the Labour Party in Nigeria, and any attempts to undermine their bond were futile.
His words: “I am aware that some people are attempting to create doubt between me and my dear brother and friend, His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections.
“However, it’s important to understand that my friendship with Peter Obi predates the Labour Party.
“Peter Obi is not just my friend and brother, but someone I align with politically. That is why I, along with other patriotic Anambrarians, left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the Labour Party ahead of the 2023 elections.
“It is illogical to think that I would ever join any group or individual to oppose him within the Labour Party. After all, what is the Labour Party without Okute Ndigbo, Peter Obi?”
