Former Imo State governor, Emeka Ihedioha, may have hit a roadblock in his planned move to the Labour Party (LP).
Ihedioha had recently dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with hundreds of his loyalists, and was expected to join the LP to further his 2027 governorship ambition.
He had met with Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, on Sunday, signaling his intention to join the LP.
Otti, the only South East Governor elected on the LP platform, was seen as a key figure in Ihedioha’s planned move.
However, sources within the LP revealed that Ihedioha’s move is facing stiff resistance from the party’s 2023 governorship candidate in Imo State, Senator Athan Achonu.
Achonu, who placed a distant third in the November 11, 2023 governorship election, is currently challenging the victory of Senator Hope Uzodimma of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Election Petitions Tribunal.
According to multiple sources, Achonu is resisting Ihedioha’s move to the LP and his intention to take over the party structure in the State.
“Athan complained to Otti that Ihedioha has an overbearing attitude and influence in any party he is in,” a source revealed.
“He specifically mentioned what Ihedioha had said in Ghana, where he described anyone who votes for Peter Obi, the LP presidential candidate in the 2023 Presidential election, as a saboteur,” the source added.
Achonu has instructed his loyalists at the ward and local government levels of the party in Imo State not to panic over their positions and not to lose sleep over Ihedioha’s planned move.