The Rivers Labour Party (LP) has been thrown into disarray just hours before the March 11 governorship election.
Recently, one Fafa Dan Princewill claimed to be the party's governorship candidate, casting doubt on the legitimacy of the candidate already recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mrs. Beatrice Itubor.
On Tuesday, the entire LP structure abandoned Itubor in favor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Sir. Sim Fubara, ahead of the election.
In a communique issued following a brief meeting in Port Harcourt, the state capital, the party structure led by its state Chairman, Dienye Pepple, stated that their decision was based on the principles of equity, fairness, and balance.
Pepple admitted that Princewill's claims of being the authentic governorship candidate and reports of Itubor purportedly stepping down for the Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Tonye Cole, threw the party into a rude shock.
He said: “As Labour Party members, and as Obidient adherents to the aforementioned values, we must come out and support a region that has never in the history of the state produced a governor.
“Voting a riverine candidate in the person of ‘SIr. Siminlalayl Joseph Fubara from the South East Senatorial district of the State during the upcoming gubernatorial polls, ensures that The Labour Party and her members are defenders and ambassadors of the values that have set her and the Obidient Movement apart from all other parties.
“We urge all Labour Party members, supporters and our Obideint team to come out in their numbers on Saturday 11th March 2023 to vote Sir. Siminialayi Joseph Fubara from the South East Senatorial District of Rivers State for governor, and vote all other Labour party candidates for state House of Assembly in their various constituencies.”
But the Youth Wing of the Campaign Organisation of the Labour Party in the state lambasted Dienye for adopting Fubara saying he had long ceased to be the chairman of the LP in the state.
The Director, Youth Affairs and Mobilisation of the Campaign Council, Saviour Oscar, claimed that Dienye was stripped of his position following the alleged misappropriation of the party’s funds and lack of integrity.
He said: “During our presidential rally in Port Harcourt, Dienye Pepple, displayed his true character. He worked with the opposition parties in the state to ensure that the rally of our Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, which was well attended by the Obidients didn’t hold.
“This was the reason a vote of no confidence was passed on him. The party today has a new leadership in the state, who is working very hard to ensure the victory of our party in Saturday’s governorship election.
“Pepple was mobilised by our Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, to organise a befitting campaign for the party in the state, but he squandered the money given to him for this purpose. We also know that he is being sponsored to destabilise the Labour Party in this state, because our candidate is the only challenge the PDP has in this election.
“Drawing from the presidential election, Dienye Pepple, has seen his brother failing the election, that is the essence for this quick run. We are calling on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate him for misappropriation of funds meant for the party’s programmes and activities”.
Oscar added: “He has been attending PDP stakeholders meeting in his home Town, Opobo. It is apt at this point to inform you that Dienye Pepple is from the same village with the candidate of the PDP, so, you don’t expect anything less.
“A man who can sacrifice the peace, development, unity and welfare of this state, which Beatrice Itubo, will bring to the state upon assumption of office come May 29th, at alter of village relationship is not worthy to be taken seriously. He has out of his quest for money failed to know that the Candidate he is adopting has just been asked by the Supreme Court”.
He said that the entire Obi-dients in the state were behind Itubo and that the attempt of Dienye to bring the party down before the poll had failed.
“We understand that these are all the handiwork of those who want to win the election by crook. Recall that last week the same persons sponsored one Fafa Dan Princewill, who appeared from the blues that he is the authentic Governorship Candidate of Labour Party in the state.
“Just yesterday, Mischief makers working in cohort with the former chairman of the party, came up with a watery press statement claim that our amiable and Outstanding Governorship Candidate, Chief Beatrice Itubo, has stepped down now to support the candidate of the APC.
“All these were just lies aimed at bringing our candidate down. But it is important for me to inform you that all of these have ended up increasing the popularity of our candidate