A major crisis is rocking the Enugu State chapter of Labour Party, LP, as the State Working Committee of the party and local government chairmen on Tuesday announced the suspension the state chairman, Barr. Casmir Agbo.

They passed a vote of no confidence on his leadership saying he had engaged in acts that were against the interest of the party in the state.

The leaders of the party in a communique made available to newsmen at the end of their meeting in Enugu among other things, accused their chairman of insubordination, attack of the party’s national leader, Peter Obi, alleged collection of bribe and replacement of elected party leaders without due process.

The communique which was signed by 14 out of the 17 LG chairmen, zonal chairmen and other elected executives of the party also announced the appointment of Chief Kingsley Chideraa Ugwu to pilot the affairs of the party pending when the party will hold its congress.

“The Enugu State Labour Party has taken a significant step in holding its leadership accountable by passing a vote of no confidence in the State Labour Party Chairman, Barr. Casmir Uchenna Agbo.
This unanimous decision taken by the State Working Committee and Local Government Party Chairmen reflects the party’s commitment to upholding its values and principles.

“The vote of no confidence was taken due to litanies of anti party activities perpetuated and perpetrated by Barr. Casmir Uchenna Agbo and his cohorts.The following under listed reasons are the reasons for this vote of no confidence and/suspension:

1. serious concerns regarding Barr. Casmir’s handling of recent activities or failure to uphold the pary’s mission and values.
2. The organization’s members have lost confidence in Casmir’s ability to effectively guide the party forward.

3. insurbodination, acerbic, vitriolic attacks and abuse of the personality of our national leader, Mr. Gregory Peter Obi.

4. Non recognition and sidelining of the party’s elected members and other stakeholders.
5. It’s established that Barr. Casmir Uchenna Agbo runs the party like his private enterprise by taking unilateral decisions.

6. It’s on record that Barr. Casmir Uchenna Agbo demanded and took bribes from our party candidates during the recently concluded local government elections.

7. It’s also on record that Barr. Casmir Uchenna Agbo remove and replace party excos both at ward, local government and state levels without recourse to the party’s constitution and with scanty regard to the opinions of the party stakeholders.”

The party leaders said the decision was taken “with a heavy heart, but we believe it is necessary to ensure the pary’s’ continued success and integrity.
We will now begin the process of selecting a new Chairman who shares our vision and values in acting capacity.

“The party remains committed to its mission and values and is confident that this decision will ultimately strengthen, regig and recalibrate the party. We appreciate the support of our members and stakeholders during this transition period.

“It’s on the strength of the foregoing developments that we recommend that Barr. Casmir Uchenna Agbo be suspended forthwith.

“Drawing strength from the above recommendation by the strength State and Local Government Excos, the motion for his suspension was moved by Hon. Chinweuba Ngwu of Enugu South and dutifully seconded by Mazi Augustine Umezuluike(Mason) of Ezeagu Local Government Area.

“Consequent upon this, Chief Kingsley Chideraa Ugwu was appointed in acting capacity to replace Barr. Casmir Uchenna Agbo pending when the party congress would be conducted. The motion for the nomination of the acting Chairman was moved by Hon Chinweuba Ngwu and seconded Mazi Augustine Umezuluike.”

Barr. Agbo could not be reached for his reaction to the suspension.

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has alleged that some political forces are attempting to force him into self-imposed exile through intimidation and threats of arrest.

El-Rufai said this in reaction to claims by a Twitter user that there were plans to arrest El-Rufai upon his return to Nigeria on “concocted allegations.”

El-Rufai, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), accused unnamed political figures of attempting to use the judicial system against him.

He said such threats were part of a larger plan to force him into self-imposed exile but noted that he has no intention of leaving the country.

“They freaked out when we challenged the legality of the premeditated defamation, and went to every length to compromise the judicial process, and this is continuing at the Court of Appeal,” El-Rufai disclosed on X on Tuesday.

“They have sent such similar messages of intimidation and threats through many of my friends, family and political associates because they want me to go on self-imposed exile. I will not.“

However, El-Rufai noted that he had put his “previous academic” and “language-learning plans” on hold to spend more time in Nigeria than ever before.

He noted that “Silence is no longer golden. Inaction has never been an option.

“The arrest, detention and torture of perceived political enemies are nothing new in human affairs. I have been arrested and detained thrice in the past for expressing my views of previous governments.”

El-Rufai also noted that he has been “arrested and detained thrice in the past for expressing my views of previous governments.”

The arrest, detention and torture of perceived political enemies are nothing new in human affairs, El-Rufai added.

He, however, disclosed that he plans to return to Nigeria for the upcoming launch of former President Ibrahim Babangida’s memoirs on February 20, 2025.

“There is always a morning after the arrest or detention or torture, and political life continues. As for death, it when Allah destines it, and it is ultimate the date of every human,” El-Rufai said.

“For the attention of the pathetic characters that don’t sleep well whenever I am in Nigeria, take notice that I intend to return in time for the launch of Pres IBB’s memoirs, in sha Allah, scheduled for 20th February.”