By Maurice Okafor
A setback to the progress made by the Labour party, Enugu state chapter, in emerging as a strong opposition and a credible alternative to the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) domination of the state manifested yesterday, as the party supporters exhibited divided loyalty on the acclaimed choice of Chief Evaristus Nnaji, as Enugu state flag bearer of the party.
On the occasion, to front, the 2023 presidential ambition of Mr Peter Obi tagged”Charity Begins at Home”, held at Kobb event centre, within Shoprite premises, Abakaliki rd, Enugu, hundreds of the party supporters kicked against the introduction of Chief Evaristus Nnaji, popularly known as Odengene as the governorship candidate of the party in Enugu state.
The Pro Edeoga Labour party members demonstrated their apathy against the mention of Odengene by singing compositions on Edeoga.
The songs which were in the Igbo language say ”Edeoga! Edeoga kayi ga eso!!!” Meaning on Edeoga, We stand.
Their peaceful protest halted every other programme marked for the event for over ten minutes before they finally bolted away from the hall.
With their departure, the pro-Nnaji supporters stood up and rendered solidarity songs in support of their principal.
Reacting to the development, the National Secretary of the party, Alhaji Umar Farouk disclosed that the contention of the governorship candidate of the party in Enugu state is a matter pending at a court of competent jurisdiction, stating the party will abide by the decision of the court.
Many Labour party stalwarts who spoke to newsmen expressed dissatisfaction with the development, lamenting that the quagmire will amount to a setback in the progress already attained by Edeoga and his support groups in positioning the Labour party as the party to beat in the 2023 Enugu state governorship election, while Chief Nnaji and his supporters have been silent.
It was gathered that it was Chief Nnaji alias Odengene who sponsored the conference/mini rally. Hon Chijioke Edeoga was conspicuously absent at the conference.
An attempt to let Chief Nnaji speak on the context between him and Edeoga for the ticket by First News Magazine did not materialise. He bluntly refused to talk to newsmen as security officials escorted him into his car.
