The Labour Party has expressed concern over an alleged moves by some party leaders to hijack its structure in Ebonyi.

In a communiqué issued on Thursday after its State Executive Council meeting, the party warned against actions capable of destabilising its plans ahead of the 2027 elections.

The communiqué, signed by the secretary, Innocent Igiri, alongside other party executives, decried the alleged moves by some leaders to sideline grassroots members.

The executive council also rejected, what it described as “political dealings and imposition” involving a presidential aspirant in the party.

“We kick against any move by some leaders negotiating political deals ahead of the 2027 general elections. The Labour Party in Ebonyi is not a private property belonging to any individual or group within the party.

“No leader has the authority to negotiate or transact business on behalf of the party without consultation with members at the state level. We will not support any secret alignments with members of other parties because this is capable of destabilising our party and destroying the gains made since the 2023 elections.

“We are also uncomfortable with the emergence of some individuals as members of our party. We learnt that an individual purchased the presidential nomination form of our dear party without first consulting the leadership and members in the state. This action is unacceptable,” the party chieftains stated.

The communiqué added, “You cannot just join a serious party like the Labour Party and move straight to Abuja to purchase presidential forms worth N50 million without first engaging the party structure at home.”

The party appealed to its leadership, including Governor Alex Otti and the national chairman, Nenadi Usman, to resist any attempt to impose decisions on the Ebonyi chapter without consulting stakeholders at the grassroots.

The executives insisted that every aspirant seeking elections under the party in the state must first engage and carry along the state structure before making any political declarations or financial commitments. 

(NAN)