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From Judex Okoro, Calabar
The Cross River State chapter of Labour Party (LP) and Obi-Datti movement have denied any alliance with the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the governorship election and state House of Assembly elections.
The APC State Chairman, Mr Alphonsus Eba, had in a press briefing held in Calabar on Monday, claimed that his party is going into alliance with the LP ahead of Saturday poll.
Eba had said the APC had adopted the LP House of Assembly candidate for Yala 1, Mr Brian Odey for the Saturday’s poll.
Eba explained that the endorsement/adoption of the LP candidate followed the Supreme Court judgment nullifying the candidacy of Mrs Regina Anyogo, who was hitherto the candidate of the APC.
He said that endorsing/adopting the LP candidate was in line with the political calculation and sportsmanship to support the LP in the state.
In a swift reaction, the State LP Publicity Secretary, Dr Lekan Ofem, debunked the claim in a press statement made available to newsmen in Calabar on Monday.
The LP Publicity Secretary, however, said that the endorsement of LP Candidate for Yala 1 State Constituency has no affiliation with LP Cross River structure and that the chapter completely disociates itself from the arrangement.
According to him, “Eba this moming at the Press Center in Calabar claimed that Labour Party in Cross River State has collapsed her structure for APC.
“I wish to state that LP is not in any alliance with APC or any political party as LP has a Governorship Candidate in the person of Ogar Osim who is very much in the race to Victory.
“We understand that LP outstanding performance during the Presidential Elections where LP won in Cross River State including Yala LGA which is the primary constituency of the APC State Chairman has placed Labour Party as a threat to other political parties.
“We therefore, urge our teaming supporters, and Labour Party faithful’s to remain calm and disregard any rumour in the Social media that is not endorsed by the leadership of Labour Party.”
Reacting also, the Vice Chairman of LP North, Odama John Abua, stated that the Labour Party and the Obi-Datti movement have no alliance whatsoever with APC regarding the Yala 1 Constituency.
Abua said: “Mr Brian Odey singular act of jetisoning the party is against the ethics of the Labour Party and the Obi-Datti movement.
“All Labour Party members as well as Obi-Datti groups in Northern Cross River should take note of this disclaimer.”
