Gov’ship Primaries: 2 Factional Candidates Emerge As A/Ibom LP Crisis Deepens

Ahead of the general elections in Akwa Ibom State, the state chapter of Labour Party (LP) has been enmeshed in factional feud as two factional governorship candidates have emerged, laying claim to being the authentic candidate to fly the party’s flag at the polls in 2027.

At the centre of the tussle is a popular radio talkshow host and The Sun newspaper columnist, Micheal Bush, and one Emmanuel Friday Ben, who emerged at different times from different factions of the party.

However, at the party’s latest primary conducted at the Party’s Secretariat on Port Harcourt Street, Uyo, the state capital in the presence of members of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the party condemned what it described as divisions and factions within the party, stating that such were not recognised by INEC.

Shortly after the primaries, chairman of the party, Comrade Lincoln Charles, had explained the party’s position on the matter.

“My name is Lincoln Charles. I’m the authentic State Chairman of Labour Party, Akwa Ibom State. I’ve been in this Party since 2006. INEC doesn’t conduct primaries twice for one Party. So, for INEC to be here means, we’re recognised.

“I understand that there are impostors which INEC does not recognise. The governorship candidate of this party is Emmanuel Friday Ben, who has just emerged from the just-concluded primaries. So, anyone who’s not here is not known by INEC or Labour Party in Akwa Ibom State”, he explained.

“My name is on INEC portal as the State Chairman of Labour Party. So, I’m the one recognised by INEC in the State, and INEC at national, not the other faction led by one Lady Celina”, he continued.

“When she wrote asking INEC to dissolve us, she was told to come and work with those who’ve been holding Congresses and that’s us, but she paid deaf ears and went ahead to create a faction which is not known by INEC. So there’s no other Labour Party in the State apart from the structure you’ve seen here”, he maintained.

“Anyone who has emerged on whatever instance apart from those here are imposters. Emmanuel bought his nomination form from the national headquarters and went for screening. I don’t know any other person who has done that in Labour Party in Akwa Ibom State,” he stressed.

In his acceptance speech, the governorship candidate, Mr. Emmanuel Friday Ben said he was motivated to join the race on grounds of his passion for people of the state.

He promised an effective administration and expressed readiness to consolidate on developmental programmes of the current administration.

“I’m coming to make people feel, enjoy and access the dividends of democracy. Our people have not enjoyed enough dividends of democracy so, I intend to fill up the gaps”, he assured.