By Sixtus Uket (Calabar)
The Cross River State Chapter of the Labour Party (LP) has denied allegation that the list of the party’s Polling Unit (PU) Agents submitted by the State Chairman of the party, Christ Ambassador Osim Ogar to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), was given to him by the State Governor and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State.
The State Publicity Secretary of the Party, Dr. Lekam U. Ofem made the rebuttal in a statement issued Monday in Calabar, the State capital and made available to Global Patriot Newspapers (GPNews).
The party stated that its attention was drawn to a statement credited to one Mr. Joe Paul Obi during the Cross River State Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) meeting held on Sunday, February 19, 2023 that, the list of the party’s Polling Agents submitted by the State Chairman was given to him by the State Governor and APC.
Dr. Ofem described the allegation as “cheap blackmail from a supposed Academic Don who has rather turned himself into a high priest of peddling false rumours.”
He said the false information was aimed at creating uncertainty among party members and supporters at this critical period.
“Ordinarily, we would have ignored this cheap blackmail from a supposed Academic Don who has rather turned himself into a high priest of peddling false rumours, but considering the weight of this false information aimed at creating uncertainty amongst us at this critical period, we wish to state that the State Chairman never nominated any polling agents even though he has the right to do so as the Party Leader and Gubernatorial Candidate.
“All the 3281 polling agents were nominated by Chapter Chairmen in due consent of our esteemed Candidates and dully uploaded to the INEC website by professionals under the supervision of the Party State Secretary as directed by the National Leadership of the Party.
“It is important to clarify that the management of Polling Agents remain the sole duty of the party and we shall work with our esteemed Candidates and relevant stakeholders to ensure their training and mobilization in accordance with the directive of the National leadership.
“As a party, we have come a long way and now very close to our victory on 25th February and March 11th 2023, no amount of intimidation or blackmail can distract us.
“The Almighty God has been and shall continue to be our strength and guide,” the LP State Publicity Secretary said.
