‘I don’t want to be like Labour Party members, they’re disobedient’ – Umahi

By Jude Opara

Minister of Works, David Umahi, has slammed the Labour Party and its supporters, majority of whom are followers of the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

Umahi spoke while presenting his ministry’s performance at the Ministerial Press Briefing in Abuja yesterday.

The minister while thanking and commending his colleagues in the Ministry of Works said he doesn’t want to be like disobedient members of the Labour Party.

“I don’t want to be disobedient or be a member of Labour Party that are very disobedient, I want to commend my Minister of State, Works. My Permanent Secretary and all the Directors. But greater commendation goes to Mr. President,” he said.

Umahi, earlier in his presentation, lauded President Bola Tinubu for commencing the Sokoto-Badagry road project, which according to him, was an idea that former President Shehu Shagari conceived 47 years ago.

“The good news is the Sokoto-Badagry. This was a dream of the Shagari administration about 47 years back. And it was supposed to be Badagry-Sokoto, but a very detribalised President directed us to change it to Sokoto-Badagry,” he added.

The immediate past governor of Ebonyi state said only a man with great courage and the power of dreams could engage in such a project.

He further praised Tinubu for his performance since he assumed office in May 2023.

They said this in a statement signed by Àfam Ogene, leader of the Labour caucus, Seyi Sowunmi, deputy leader and Amobi Ogah, member, yesterday.

Peoples Daily reports that Julius Abure, factional Labour Party chairman, had announced the suspension of the trio.

The faction also announced the suspension of the only governor elected on the party platform, Alex Otti, Ireti Kingibe and Darlington Nwokocha, secretary of the party’s National Caretaker Committee.

The three lawmakers expressed dismay that Mr Abure, instead of working to improve the fortunes of the party, seemed focused on orchestrating its disintegration to appease external forces driving his actions.

They said, “From yesterday’s overreach of himself and his band of jesters, it is now evidently clear to everyone who has followed recent events in the Labour Party. A political party is set up for the specific goal of participating in the democratic process, especially the contestation for power.

“Since the Peter Obi effect of 2023, what has Abure and his gang of undertakers done to enhance the fortunes of the party? In fact, we challenge him and his cohorts to name one single individual of note that they have attracted to the party since 2023.

“From Kogi to Bayelsa, Ondo to Edo, what Abure has done is lead the party to disastrous outcomes. The last time around, it was announcing the sack and replacement of Hon. Ogene as caucus leader, but when that didn’t work, he has resorted to contriving a fake suspension order.”

They added, “Abure has appointed himself as a willing undertaker for the destruction of the soul of the party but ironically, he is only supervising the burial plan of his image and integrity as a public servant and political leader. We wish him well.”