By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Labour Party (LP) in Ebonyi State has rejected what it described as divisive remarks attributed to the Minister of Works and former Ebonyi State Governor, Engr. David Umahi, concerning former Anambra State Governor, Mr Peter Obi, and the people of Anambra State, insisting that Obi remains “our brother, not our enemy.”

The party, In a statement signed by its 2027 governorship candidate, Chief Splendour Oko Eze; candidate for Abakaliki/Izzi Federal Constituency, Dr Ezeh Emmanuel Ezeh; Ebonyi South Senatorial candidate, Chief Henry Udeh; and Ebonyi North Senatorial candidate, Chief Ogbodo Nwede Mitchell Nwabueze Michael, urged Ndigbo to resist political rhetoric capable of undermining the longstanding relationship among the people of the South-East.

The Ebonyi LP leadership said it was particularly concerned about what it regarded as attempts to portray Anambra people as adversaries of Ebonyians, arguing that the two states had enjoyed decades of social, cultural and commercial interaction.

“We state categorically that Anambra people do not treat Ebonyi people as second-class citizens,” the statement said, stressing that the relationship between Ndi Anambra and Ndi Ebonyi was founded on “decades of brotherhood, shared culture, commerce, and mutual respect.”

The party cited the contributions of prominent Anambra businessmen and philanthropists, including Chief Arthur Eze, Chief Cletus Ibeto and Chief Innocent Chukwuma to the economic development of Ebonyi State.

According to the LP, such relationships demonstrated the enduring economic and social interdependence between the two states and should not be undermined by partisan political disagreements.

“Peter Obi remains our brother, not our enemy,” the party declared, urging Ebonyians not to be swayed by what it described as divisive rhetoric for political advantage.

The party further maintained that every Nigerian had a constitutional right to support and vote for a candidate of his or her choice, arguing that political differences should not become a basis for hostility among citizens or fellow Igbo people.

The statement comes against the backdrop of a series of public exchanges between Umahi and Obi over governance, infrastructure and the political direction of the South-East ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Umahi has publicly challenged Obi to a debate on their records as former governors, while Obi has questioned the basis for such a debate outside a presidential contest.

The Ebonyi LP also addressed the controversy surrounding the renaming or removal of Abakaliki Street in Anambra State, arguing that Obi should not be blamed for a decision taken by a subsequent administration.

The party said any grievance concerning the matter should be directed to the government responsible for the decision rather than deployed as a political weapon against the former Anambra governor.

On the contentious issue of zoning, the LP said the debate should not overshadow what it described as the more pressing concerns of governance, poverty reduction, economic empowerment and infrastructure development in Ebonyi State.

The party also called on Umahi, as Minister of Works, to concentrate on the delivery and maintenance of critical infrastructure, specifically identifying the Enugu-Abakaliki Federal Highway and Enugu-Onitsha Expressway as major economic corridors in the South-East.

The LP further criticised the Vanco Flyover project in Abakaliki, alleging that its construction resulted in the destruction of businesses, displacement of traders and loss of livelihoods.

It questioned the wider socio-economic consequences of the project and said affected residents continued to grapple with the impact of the construction.

However, the party’s assertions concerning the project’s alleged political motivation were presented in its statement as questions and allegations, rather than established findings.

The LP consequently urged political actors across the South-East to place regional solidarity and good governance above partisan interests.

“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 said.

The party called on Ndigbo at home and in the diaspora to preserve the historic commercial, cultural and interpersonal ties binding the region, while urging political leaders to channel their energies towards issues affecting the welfare and development of the people.

The statement was Issued for and on behalf of the Labour Party, Ebonyi State, by the four signatories.