The Labour Party has condemned the arrest of its National Vice Chairman for the South-East, Ceekay Igara, by police in Aba, Abia State, allegedly on orders from the state Governor Alex Otti.
Igara was taken into custody while attending a party meeting,
According to Labour Party officials, the arrest was made without a warrant, sparking outrage and concerns about political intimidation.
The party’s Deputy National Chairman, Ayo Olorunfemi, expressed shock and disappointment at the governor’s actions, according to Politics Nigeria.
The Labour Party had been attempting to reconcile with Otti following court validations of Julius Abure’s leadership and the Nnewi convention. However, Otti’s sudden shift towards undermining the party’s leadership has left officials bewildered.
Olorunfemi described the situation as a resort to brute force and anachronistic political intimidation. The party is demanding Igara’s immediate release and has called for him to be charged to court within 24 hours if he is not freed.
This development has heightened tensions between the Labour Party and Otti’s administration. The party views the arrest as a targeted attack on its leadership and a threat to democratic principles.
The incident has sparked concerns about the use of state power to silence political opponents. Labour Party officials and supporters are closely watching the situation, awaiting Igara’s release or formal charges.
His words: “It is surprising that he has resorted to introducing brute and anachronistic form of political intimidation.
“It is often said that power does not change a man, rather power only brings out the true nature of a man.
“We were fooled by his humane posture, not knowing that he was just masquerading his tyrannical true person.
“We demand the immediate release of Comrade Ceekay Igara from the custody of the police. If he is not released, he should be charged to court within the next 24 hours as specified by law.”
