We Stand Alone, Support Tinubu and LP Candidates – Ochonu

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

The Labour Party (LP) in Benue State has declared that it is not in any strategic alliance with any political party, stressing that it stands for President Bola Tinubu and its party.

The party Chairman in Benue State, Mr William Ochonu, made the declaration in a statement he signed and issued to newsmen in Makurdi on Tuesday.

Ochonu, who was reacting to a list circulating in the public space containing the names of some highly placed individuals purportedly involved in a “strategic alliance or partnership with a political party,” which he did not mention, said: “We state categorically:

The Labour Party in Benue State is not in any form of strategic alliance with any political party.

“We have seen a list circulating in the public space with the names of highly respectable individuals under a so-called strategic partnership to deliver Mr. President.

“While we respect every name on that list and hold those individuals in high esteem, the Benue State Labour Party and its candidates are not part of any such partnership or alliance.

“We do not need to join any alliance to do what we are already doing. On its own, the Labour Party in Benue State is mobilising Benue voters to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all Labour Party candidates in the state.
“We are working for the re-election of President Tinubu because we believe in his leadership and want his administration to continue consolidating the gains of its reforms.

“His policies on the economy, infrastructure, security, agriculture and national renewal are laying the foundation for a stronger Nigeria. That is our conviction, and that is the basis of our campaign.”

The LP Chairman said all their members in Benue State were on the field mobilising support for President Tinubu and their candidates, from the governorship to the Senate, House of Representatives and State Assembly.

He added that their message remained: “Vote Labour Party from top to bottom, and vote President Tinubu for continuity.”

Ochonu insisted that the party was not running a divided campaign but a united and focused one.
He added that the Labour Party would soon unveil its Independent Campaign Council to mobilise support across the 23 Local Government Areas of the state for President Tinubu’s re-election.

According to him, the council would comprise Labour Party members working towards the party’s objectives.
He, however, clarified that the party was not opposed to any of its candidates forming personal relationships or alliances at their individual levels, saying: “That is their right.

But as a party, we will run our own independent campaign structure for Mr. President.
“We will not fold our identity, our logo, our candidates or our mobilisation into any other party’s structure. We are Labour Party. We have our candidates. We have our manifesto. We have our structure. And we will campaign with pride.

“We reject any suggestion that the Labour Party in Benue State is confused. We are clear, focused and organised.
“We remain firmly committed to delivering President Bola Tinubu and all Labour Party candidates in Benue State, while participating fully in this election as an independent and credible political party,” Ochonu said.