By Uche Amunike
The Rivers state chapter of the Labour Party has dumped its governorship candidate, Beatrice Itubo just a few days to the Governorship and State Assembly elections of March 11 and replaced her with the PDP candidate, Siminialayi Fubara
whom they have unanimously endorsed.
According to the Labour Party Chairman in the state, Dienye Pepple, during a meeting with some local government party chairman, Tuesday, the Labour Party is supporting a young and vibrant candidate from the South East Senatorial District which is yet to produce a governor in the state, since it was created in 1967.
This was a decision taken in line with the values of fairness, equity and justice which was the main reason they decided to give the presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi, their support in the first place.
He thanked party members and supporters of other political parties for voting for the party’s presidential candidate.
His words: ‘Our Labour Party and its most coruscating candidate till date, Mr Peter Obi, put up a robust and most impressive representation of ‘people power’ not seen in recent Nigerian History.’
The State Chairman further stated that the party was shocked to discover that an unknown person came up, claiming to be the guber candidate of the Labour Party.
Hear him: ‘Coupled with the news making rounds on social media that our governorship candidate, Mrs Beatrice Itubo, has stepped down and adopted the All Progressives Congress candidate, in order for us not to remain in the dark, the party in line with the 23 LGA chairmen has decided to support a credible candidate irrespective of the party affiliation.’
‘A candidate who must be young and vibrant and must hail from the senatorial district that hasn’t produced a governor before in the state.’
He reiterated: ‘All through the history of this great and outstanding State, the Rivers West district has produced the Governor once in person of Dr Peter Odili. The Rivers East District has produced the governor thrice, while the Rivers South-East has never had this opportunity.’
‘Thereby flouting and negating the values of equity, fairness, justice and balance. Values that are both foundational and intrinsic to the Labour Party.’
He added, ‘As Labour Party members, and as ‘Obidient’ adherents to the aforementioned values, we must come out and support a region (district) that has never in the history of the state produced a governor.’
He averred that voting for Fubara is proof that the Labour Party and her members are ambassadors of the values that make the OBIdient Movement stand out from all other parties.
He urged all party members to come out in their numbers on March 11, 2023 to vote all other LP candidates for the State House of Assembly Seats in their different constituencies.
Beatrice Itubu, on her part has however insisted that she remains the recognized candidate of the Labour Party for the elections that will take place on March 11.
