The fear of a dark horse emerging the governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Imo State may have thrown off guard most of the governorship aspirants in the party.
The Labour party in the State has been embroiled in crisis after an unknown governorship aspirant termed a dark horse, allegedly hijacked the party structure after the presidential and National Assembly elections in the State which the party won convincingly.
A dark horse is a candidate or competitor about whom little is known but who unexpectedly wins or succeeds.
Apparently opposed to the appointment of a Caretaker Committee to run the affairs of the party, nine governorship aspirants in the party, at the weekend, in a statement, kicked against the dissolution of the party executives, which they suspect is, part of a wider plot to pave way for the emergence of the said governorship candidate.
The statement was signed by Captain David Mbamara (retd), Ike Ibe, Kelechi Nwagwu, Charles Onyirimba, Humphrey Anumudu, T.J Ehirim, Martin Agbaso, General Jack Ogunewe (retd). They alleged that the new Caretaker Committee is made up of local government co ordinators of the governorship aspirant.
The statement reads in parts “As party faithfuls, we are concerned about the damage the appointment of a caretaker committee without consultation and a unilateral nomination by a Governorship aspirant, who chose virtually his LGA campaign coordinators to man the Labour Party in Imo state.
“The current officers of the Party are crucial to the successful outcome in the election ahead. They may also be useful in standing as witnesses/evidence in the presidential court battle ahead. Therefore getting rid of them at this time and manner is neither a brainer nor a plus to the party.
“It is essential to do a thorough and wide consultation in any reconstitution exercise. Diverse interests in the Party will have to be factored in when embarking on this exercise. This is particularly important given the recent experience of the Party in the State with respect to the PCC and its performance during the last presidential campaign and election.
“Labour Party has emerged a national party and so must be careful to not only be seen to be democratic but actually be democratic. The Party must not be allowed to be hijacked by one or a few individuals. The nation is taking a keen interest in how the Party manages her affairs in the next chapter of her history. It is therefore essential that things must be done the right way.
“This appointment of the caretaker committee is already creating tension in Imo and historically speaking Imo is known for resistance to imposition and flagrant abuse of Office. We call on the National chairman to call it a stop and desist from any act that will destroy the Labor Party in Imo State.
“Be it known that very highly placed and responsible people joined the Labor Party hoping that the impunity which destroyed PDP and APGA will not rear its ugly head in Labor Party.
“We are in doubt that the National Working Committee and the party Caucus are part of this imposition but if they were deceived to be part of it, it is exigent that they take serious remedial steps to forestall the catastrophe that is about to unfold.