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The Labour Party, LP, in Ebonyi State has tackled the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, over his recent political remarks concerning former Anambra State Governor, Mr Peter Obi.
It insisted that political differences should not be allowed to rupture the longstanding relationship between the people of Ebonyi and Anambra states.
The party also urged Umahi, a former governor of Ebonyi State, to concentrate on governance and the delivery of critical infrastructure rather than rhetoric capable of deepening political divisions in the South-East.
Umahi had recently engaged Obi in a public political exchange, saying there was no area in which the former Anambra governor was superior to him and arguing that their records, backgrounds, intellectual capacity and contributions to the South-East could be compared.
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He also said it was not yet the turn of the South-East to produce the President.
Reacting in a statement signed by its 2027 governorship candidate, Comrade Chief Splendour Oko Eze; Abakaliki/Izzi Federal Constituency candidate, Dr Ezeh Emmanuel Ezeh, Ebonyi South Senatorial candidate, Chief Henry Udeh and Ebonyi North Senatorial candidate, Chief Ogbodo Nwede Mitchell Nwabueze Michael, the LP dissociated itself from what it described as divisive rhetoric against the people of Anambra and Obi.
The party said Ebonyians had no basis to regard Anambra people as second-class citizens, stressing that both states had maintained decades of commercial, cultural and social interaction.
“We state categorically that Anambra people do not treat Ebonyi people as second-class citizens.
“The relationship between Ndi Anambra and Ndi Ebonyi is founded on decades of brotherhood, shared culture, commerce and mutual respect,” the statement said.
The LP cited the contributions of prominent Anambra businessmen, including Chief Arthur Eze, Chief Cletus Ibeto and Chief Innocent Chukwuma of Innoson, to the economic development of Ebonyi State.
It added that thousands of Ebonyians live and conduct businesses in Anambra, arguing that the economic interdependence between the two states should not be sacrificed for political expediency.
“Peter Obi remains our brother, not our enemy,” the party declared, insisting that every citizen had the constitutional right to support and vote for a candidate of choice.
The LP also challenged Umahi, in his capacity as Works Minister, to focus on the state of federal roads in the region, particularly the Enugu-Abakaliki Federal Highway and Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, which it described as critical economic corridors.
“As Minister of Works, Engr. Umahi should focus on delivering critical infrastructure rather than promoting political divisions,” it stated.
On the controversy surrounding the renaming of Abakaliki Street in Anambra, the party said Obi should not be held responsible for decisions taken by a subsequent administration, urging that any grievance over the matter be directed to the appropriate authority.
The LP further criticised the Vanco Flyover project in Abakaliki, alleging that its execution resulted in the destruction of businesses, displacement of traders and loss of livelihoods. It called for attention to the socio-economic consequences suffered by affected residents.
The party also said the debate over zoning should not eclipse the immediate concerns of governance, poverty reduction, economic empowerment and infrastructure development in Ebonyi.
It urged Ndigbo at home and abroad to reject divisive politics and preserve the bonds among the five South-East states.
“Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Abia and Ebonyi are one family united by a common heritage and destiny. We must not allow political interests to divide us,” the statement added.
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