A Labour Party (LP) gubernatorial ticket contender in the forthcoming Imo State election, Basil Maduka, has responded to claims of being excluded from the party’s activities, asserting that he cannot be sidelined within his own party.
Addressing journalists during a press briefing held on Tuesday in Abuja, Maduka outright denied any involvement with the Lamidi Apapa-led faction of the Labour Party.
Stressing his substantial involvement and financial support of the Labour Party in Imo State since its establishment, he further explained that his intentions for the party are closely linked to its growth and expansion.
He said, “I want to categorically state that I am not associated with any faction within the Labour Party, particularly in Apapa.
These claims are baseless and are being spread in an attempt to tarnish my reputation and exclude me from participating in party affairs.
“I am surprised that some people are saying I am not known in the party. Nobody can say that in Imo. You know, when some people want to be relevant through social media or wherever?
I mean, somebody who formed the party, financed the party till after the presidential election, now somebody’s telling you that you’re not part of the party, that’s to tell you that something is happening somewhere.”
Pointing out that the Supreme Court has now determined the genuine gubernatorial candidate for the state, Maduka emphasised that the confusion within the party initially stemmed from the two separate primaries conducted in Imo State.
“As a result of those two primaries, because there was a matter in court, these groups now have me as their candidate.
The one by their committee also had a candidate led by Senator Achonu, and I are the two known candidates.
This one was a committee; the other one was the people already in court, where they asked the party to remain status quo.
“So, we had to go to court so that the court could interpret who was the legitimate or authentic candidate.
So, at least the party will take its course. That is why we took it to the Supreme Court. At the end of the day, the Supreme Court, in its wisdom, decided that this was the candidate. So, you can’t challenge the court when the matter has gone to the Supreme Court.”
Additionally, he acknowledged accepting the Supreme Court’s verdict and expressed his commitment to utilising all necessary means to secure victory for the Labour Party in the gubernatorial election in Imo State.
“Today in our party, we will make sure that our party wins because I’ve invested a lot. I am the highest investor.
So, my party in Imo has to win. Anyone who is telling you that if this man is still in the party, is he still in Imo State? Nobody from Imo can tell you that Basil Maduka is not loved.
“Mind you again; let me show you the structure I set up in Imo as regards the Labour Party. I set up and am also the major financier of what we call the big tent. Big Tent has a structure in 305 wards funded by me.
“OBIDATTI movement, there are so many support groups; as of today, there are 55 support groups, so I merged them together.
I funded each of them, and each of them has a structure in 305 wards. There is the Basil Maduka movement; there is a restoration agenda movement; all these people have structures in 305 wards, so you can imagine who owns the party in Imo.
“Before some people came in after a presidential election, I had set this up so that when you say you want to win or run in the election, you set such a precedent.
These are all my babies. So, as we speak, it is Basil Maduka who will determine who depends on 305 wards.
Yes, the Supreme Court has taken its decision, but it is these crowds that will determine who wins the governorship, or, as we speak today,
“As we speak, the Supreme Court matter just ended, and I addressed all my supporters on Saturday. I called all the unit heads, the 55 support groups, Basil Maduka’s movement, the state executives, and all their heads. I addressed them on Saturday. That was my first outing because we still have the election in three weeks.”
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