The Labour Party in Imo has inaugurated a 481-member campaign council to strategise and spearhead its campaign for the November 11 governorship election.

The Labour Party chair in Imo, Callistus Ihejiagwa, urged the members not to joke about the “fierce urgency” to rescue the state.

“You have become the torchbearer for LP, our candidate, Senator Athan Achonu and Peter Obi in all the nook and crannies of your localities. This is a call to duty, service and selfless sacrifice for the good of Imo,” stated Mr Ihejiagwa.

Mr Ihejiagwa urged the council to carry out the responsibility with pride, dignity and selflessness, “knowing that God has anointed you to liberate Imo,” noting that if “we disappoint the people, they will not forgive us.”

He said the insecurity in the state had forced many to hold traditional events outside the state for fear of possible attacks back home.

“They say LP has no big vehicles and has no structure, but those with big cars and structures are the people with the structure of corruption which Peter Obi has come to eradicate. They are the ones who have fed so fat on the common treasury of the state and Nigeria,” added Mr Ihejiagwa.

The Labour Party chair said people “are hungry for a new Imo and Nigeria.”

He said, “A new Imo and Nigeria are possible and attainable.”

Mr Ihejiagwa called for commitment, peace, fairness, openness and unity among council members and party officers to achieve success and ensure victory at the poll.

The council’s director-general, Chime Nzeribe, described the forthcoming election as a struggle to “emancipate Igboland, not only Imo.”

Mr Nzeribe said, “Go back home and work hard. The reason Obi has problem today is that the party’s mobilisation in the booths was not fantastic, and our results were not well-guarded. This is something we must work out to ensure that our results are well-guarded.”

(NAN)