On Monday, April 3, 2023, the Labour Party’s national secretary, Umar Farouk, released a statement condemning the unanticipated occupation of the party’s secretariat in Owerri by unauthorized police officers and thugs. Farouk claims the seizure was orchestrated by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, in collaboration with the state government.
Farouk’s statement expresses shock and disappointment over the incident, which is similar to the unauthorized invasion of the same secretariat on Wednesday, March 15, 2023. He alleges that no legal justification has been provided for either incident. While the March invasion had no stated motive, the government claims that the latest seizure was due to a court order. However, Farouk insists that no such order has been presented or even shown to the party.
The ongoing occupation has resulted in all Labour Party officials and staff being denied access to the secretariat. Farouk states that the Inspector General of Police’s office has confirmed there is no known security breach in the state that would justify the action. He speculates that the Imo state governor is attempting to take control of the Labour Party’s leadership in the region.
Furthermore, Farouk notes that the police have informed the party that no officers were officially assigned to the secretariat and that those present may have been dispatched from the State House. He calls for Labour Party members to remain peaceful despite the current provocation.
In response to these allegations, Governor Uzodimma’s Chief Press Secretary, Oguwike Nwachuku, has dismissed the claims as baseless, urging the Labour Party to stop pointing fingers without evidence.
