Ebonyi Labour Party Blasts Umahi Over Anambra Remarks, Declares "Peter Obi Remains Our Brother"

The Labour Party in Ebonyi State has fired back at Minister of Works and former governor, David Umahi, over his recent comments concerning Anambra State and its former governor, Peter Obi, describing the remarks as divisive and politically motivated.

In a strongly worded statement released on Sunday, the party rejected what it called an attempt to sow seeds of discord among the people of the South East, insisting that the relationship between Ebonyi and Anambra has always been built on shared culture, commerce, brotherhood and mutual respect not division.

The statement was signed by the party's 2023 governorship candidate in Ebonyi State, Comrade Chief Splendour Oko Eze, alongside other party chieftains including Dr. Ezeh Emmanuel Ezeh, Chief Henry Udeh and Chief Ogbodo Nwede Mitchell Nwabueze Michael.

The party made it clear that Anambra people have never treated Ebonyi indigenes as second class citizens, and warned against using politics to tear the two states apart. It pointed to prominent Anambra businessmen among them Arthur Eze, Cletus Ibeto and Innocent Chukwuma of Innoson Motors whose contributions, it said, have helped develop Ebonyi State and improve the lives of its people.

According to the Labour Party, Umahi cannot tell the story of how he became Ebonyi governor in 2015 without acknowledging the role played by Arthur Eze. The party therefore urged Ebonyi residents to resist any rhetoric designed to create disunity for political gain, stressing that every Nigerian has a constitutional right to support and vote for any candidate of their choice.

"Peter Obi remains our brother, not our enemy," the party declared, noting that thousands of Ebonyi indigenes live, work and prosper in Anambra State. It specifically mentioned Ngbuka Obosi, a major commercial hub in Anambra, as one of the places that has created opportunities for countless Ebonyi families over the years.

The party also dismissed any attempt to blame Peter Obi for the renaming or removal of Abakaliki Street in Anambra State. It said anyone aggrieved by that decision should direct their complaints to the current Anambra governor, Chukwuma Soludo, who has the authority over such matters.

Turning its attention to Umahi's performance as Minister of Works, the Labour Party criticised the state of major federal roads in the South East, including the Enugu-Abakaliki Federal Highway and the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway. It urged the minister to focus on infrastructure development rather than promoting political divisions.

The party also raised fresh concerns over the Vanco Flyover project in Abakaliki, alleging that it led to the destruction of businesses, displacement of traders and loss of livelihoods. It questioned whether the project was genuinely designed to promote development or was driven by political considerations.

In its closing message, the Labour Party called on Igbo people at home and abroad to reject divisive politics and uphold unity, solidarity and brotherhood among the five South Eastern states.

"Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Abia and Ebonyi are one family united by a common heritage and destiny. We must not allow political interests to divide us," the party said.