The Imo State Executive Council (SEC) of the Labour Party (LP) has imposed a three-month suspension on 30 members of its State Working Committee (SWC) following an alleged attempt to unseat the state chairman, Calistus Ihejiagwa.
The decision was made during a meeting in Owerri on Saturday after a motion was proposed by Richardson Madumere from Ezinihitte Mbaise and seconded by John Nwaigwe.
This move came in response to an earlier effort by some party members to suspend Ihejiagwa.
During the meeting, SEC reaffirmed its support for the party’s National Chairman, Julius Abure, and endorsed the leadership of the state executives under Ihejiagwa.
Those affected by the suspension include Paulinus Udechukwu, Emeka Ihejirika, who serves as the party’s legal adviser, and 28 others.
Ihejiagwa condemned the actions of the suspended members, accusing them of misconduct that had damaged the party’s reputation and caused internal conflict.
“They engaged in actions that brought disrepute to the party and created unnecessary crises. As a result, they have been suspended for three months. However, they will be given a chance to present their grievances. A five-member committee will be set up to review the matter and submit a report within the stipulated period,” Ihejiagwa said.
He added that their conduct violated Article 19 of the party’s constitution, which necessitated the disciplinary measures taken against them.