NewsCritic Reporters
The ranks of the Labour Party, LP, in Abia State have continued to swell with the defections of notable opposition political figures into the party, especially following the 2023 governorship election victory of Dr. Alex Otti, the swashbuckling governor of Abia State who is behind the philosophy of the New Abia.
One politician whose declaration for the Labour Party will not go unnoticed like others, is the defection of Ohuhu-Umuahia born vibrant politician, a renowned security consultant and former chieftain of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Chief Iheanyi Igboañulam into the party, a move analysts believe will greatly help to shore up the support base of the incumbent Governor Alex Otti at the grassroots.
Hon Chief Iheanyi Igboañulam who holds the award title of Kpakpando Ndigbo Dum (from Igbo World Union), was until recently, a chieftain of the YPP in Abia State, as he coordinated the party’s 2023 electioneering campaigns in Umuahia North Local Government Area, where he worked closely with the youths and grassroots to reposition the party.
On why he decided to pitch tent with the Labour Party, Chief Igboañulam noted that he decided to join LP to express his full support for Governor Otti’s leadership which considers merit, service delivery and transparency over cronyism, adding that his political belief aligns perfectly with the Governor’s vision for Abia.
He said that his defection to the Labour Party in Abia is driven largely by his admiration for Otti’s leadership style, describing it as two years of greatness’’, and ‘’uncommon achievements’’. He maintained that never in the history of Abia has the State been so well governed, emphasizing that he wants to contribute more effectively to grassroots democracy and development.
Abia State political ecosystem has seen a wave of defections from the opposition into the Labour Party lately, and even chieftains of opposition political parties who couldn’t defect are voicing their support for Gov Otti’s administration and second term aspiration, oftentimes putting them at daggers drawn with their respective political parties.
Since Otti came to power, Abia has seen stability in many sectors of the State’s economic and social life. For instance, payments of salaries of all categories of workers are made a priority, as are pensions. The public school system is being revived as teachers are no longer being owed salaries, which has made their morale to be high. The health sector is receiving adequate attention, while Abia can be said to be witnessing unprecedented infrastructural development courtesy of Otti’s leadership.
According to Chief Igboañulam this is the time for Abians to rally round Otti and encourage him to continue with the good works he is doing. He said with what is on ground, the people of Abia can’t afford to deny Otti a second term in office.
Chief Igboañulam, besides his political sojourn, is the Abia State Chairman, Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), and a certified Peace and Security Consultant with a long standing reputation as a licensed Peace and Conflictologist. He holds a professional Postgraduate Diploma in Peace, Security and Strategic Leadership, from the Institute of Global Peace and Conflict Management (affiliate of US-Interglobal University Somalia/USA).
His joining the Labour Party is seen as a positive development for the party as it will further boost the party’s appeal not only in Umuahia North but Abia state in general.
