The National Vice Chairman of the Labour Party in the South‑East, Chief Innocent Okeke, spoke with OLUWAFEMI MORGAN about the party’s prospects in the region, security concerns, and the upcoming elections.
When asked whether the warm reception President‑elect candidate Peter Obi received during his South‑East campaign will translate into votes on 25 February, Okeke said that rallies demonstrate support mainly in cities, but the real strength lies in the villages. He believes this grassroots turnout will lead to victory because people are yearning for change after 23 years of unfulfilled promises by other parties. “It is not just because it is Peter Obi,” he noted, “but because they have tasted the wickedness of other political parties and their promises have not translated into reality.” Obi, he added, has been tested in business, the corporate environment, and governance, and his election will transform Nigeria. The South‑East, he asserted, will vote en masse for Obi on 25 February.
Regarding specific promises to the South‑East, Okeke said Obi is pledging equal opportunity, justice, fairness, and a stronger government presence. He highlighted that development in the region has largely been driven by community efforts, and Obi plans to create a hub that will employ large numbers of youth, making them productive contributors to the national economy. These promises aim to address long‑standing grievances of marginalisation, offering diversification of development so that growth is not concentrated in a single city while other areas struggle.
On the issue of insecurity, Okeke expressed concern for the entire federation, noting that the South‑East is not isolated. He urged the government to deploy manpower and security forces to volatile areas, criticizing the current response as insufficient. “If the government provides security, INEC will have less to worry about,” he said.
When questioned about the APC’s achievements, such as the Second Niger Bridge, Okeke dismissed them as inadequate. “After eight years in power, people are no longer docile and cannot be fooled,” he argued. Building a bridge without securing its users, he warned, is “building for ghosts.” He called for programs that genuinely benefit South‑Easterners rather than mere infrastructure projects.
Addressing APC spokesperson Festus Keyamo’s claim that the Labour Party would split the PDP vote in the South‑East while the APC’s stake remains intact, Okeke dismissed the remark as a “wild goose chase.” He recalled admiring Keyamo in his youth, comparing him to figures like Gani Fawehimi, Beko Ransom‑Kuti, and Tai Solarin, but noted that Keyamo’s recent statements seem out of character.
Regarding former Senate President Bukola Saraki’s projection that the PDP would secure 25 percent of the South‑East vote, Okeke called it “mere political calculation.” He praised the Labour Party’s national ambition and said the PDP would not reach that figure. He questioned whether PDP governors and bigwigs could mobilise votes, noting that they have held power since 1999 but have offered little tangible benefit to the region. As for a possible endorsement of Obi by the G‑5 PDP governors, Okeke said the party is not distracted by such gimmicks and will welcome any support if it materialises.
On the challenge posed by the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), whose presidential candidate is Professor Peter Umeadi, Okeke argued that APGA is a regional party, whereas the Labour Party is national. He pointed out that APGA’s influence has waned, especially in Imo State, and that Obi, a native of Anambra, enjoys overwhelming support there, making APGA “never a threat” to the Labour Party in the South‑East.
Finally, regarding concerns about vote‑buying, Okeke expressed confidence in INEC’s safeguards, particularly the BVAS technology, which he believes will minimise corruption. He noted that parties have submitted lists of agents and that any attempts at vote‑buying will be exposed and condemned, preventing a repeat of the “bondage” of the past eight years.
Comments are closed for this story.