Barr. Chijioke Jonathan Edeoga – LP Enugu guber candidate
The Enugu state Chairman of Labour Party (LP), Barrister Casmir Uchenna Agbo, has said that Chief Chijioke Jonathan Edeoga, is the authentic gubernatorial candidate of the party in the state for the upcoming 2023 general elections, adding that Chief Everest Nnaji (Aka Odengene), who is reportedly laying claim to the same position is an impersonator who is unknown to the party.
Addressing journalists in Enugu on Tuesday, Barr Agbo explained that Chief Nnaji never at any time purchased the Expression of Interest and Nomination Form of the party to contest the governorship primary, and neither does he know where the party office is located, nor the name of his ward or local government chairman.
He accused the ruling People’s Democratic Party in the state of sponsoring Chief Nnaji to cause confusion in the party with the aim to undermine the rising profile of Chief Edeoga as well as the state chapter of the party.
He said that the LP has resolved to send the PDP packing after almost 24 years of ruling the state with little or nothing to show for it.
According to Barr Agbo, “this press briefing has become necessary in view of many conflicting issues as it affects our party. It is good to remind the people of Enugu State where we are coming from and where we are going.
“The party had on the 30th of May elected Mr. Peter Obi, as our presidential candidate, who subsequently has Datti Yusuf Ahmed as his running mate.
“In Enugu State, the party had as from 4th of June through 9th of June, elected various candidates whom they intend to use to run for various offices.
“From House of Assembly on 4th, House of Representatives on the 5th, Senate on the 8th and Governorship candidate on the 9th June respectively.
“On the issue of gubernatorial candiate, the party had on the 9th of June elected Barr. Casmir Uchenna a its flag bearer.
“In line with the Electoral Act 2022, the party decided to have a flag bearer who will replace Barr Agbo as their main candidate.
“In line with the above, the party fixed dates for substitution of candidates who want to voluntarily withdraw from the race. So, many candidates indicated interest in withdrawing.
“The party, therefore, wrote to INEC that there will be a substitution primaries to replace Barr. Casmir Uchenna Agbo.
“…On the 9th of August, 2022, the party at Top 10 Hotel Golf Estate had her substitution primaries which were witnessed by 5 officials of INEC, two federal party officials from Labour Party office in Abuja where Chief Chijioke Jonathan Edeoga was unanimously elected as the sole candidate for the Governorship seat of the party.
“Subsequently, the National Chairman issued the candidate Certificate of Return in line with party policy and the Electoral Act.”
Barr Agbo said it was strange to learn that any other person woke up and “started laying claim to the position of governorship candidacy of our great party.”
However, he accused the PDP of sponsoring Chief Nnaji to cause confusion in the party with the view to undermine the rising profile of Edeoga’s candidacy.
“I want to allay the fears of the public by stating that there is no way PDP or APC can cause confusion because we have resolved to take Enugu from from the ruling PDP which has failed the people,” he said.
