The Abia Local Government Area chairmanship election is on the verge of disaster, mirroring the contentious battle between Nyesom Wike and Sim Fubara in Rivers State.

Governor Alex Otti’s decision to handpick candidates, bypassing the Labour Party’s democratically chosen nominees, has ignited a firestorm of dissent within the party.

Internal Party Conflict

Discontented stakeholders, dismayed by Otti’s rash choices, are now urging affected candidates to defect to the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). This mass exodus threatens to debilitate the Labour Party’s chances in the election. The question on everyone’s mind is: will this election be a genuine contest between Labour Party candidates and their opponents, or a showdown between Governor Otti and the people?

The ability of any political party to settle internal crises with it’s own mechanism for crises management, can say a lot for their electoral success and sustainability Respect for the supremacy of the party, is bases of electoral success and survival of every party, plus building of trust

Legitimacy Crisis

Further complicating matters is the Labour Party leadership’s refusal to acknowledge Aburi as the authentic chairman, despite a court order. This blatant disregard for the rule of law may exacerbate internal party crises, undermining the party’s electoral prospects. The consequences of ignoring Aburi are dire, as evidenced by Fubara’s strategic decision to ask his chairmanship aspirants to join the Action Peoples Party (APP) two months prior to the Rivers State Local Government Election.

Electoral Consequences

The New Abia’s last-ditch request for candidates to resign from the Labour Party merely three days ago is a futile attempt to salvage the situation. According to ABSIEC and INEC regulations, the nomination of candidates by any political party in Nigeria is clear-cut. The writing is on the wall: this is a wasted strategy, and it’s game over for the Labour Party’s election hopes.

Key Concerns:

* Internal Party Conflict: Ignoring court orders and disregarding party members’ choices may deepen internal divisions.
* Electoral Consequences:  A weakened Labour Party may struggle to win the chairmanship and subsequent elections in Abia State.
* Governance Implications:: A disputed election outcome may affect the governance of Abia State.
* Legitimacy Crisis: The Labour Party leadership’s refusal to acknowledge Aburi as chairman undermines the party’s credibility.

Lessons from Rivers State

The recent local government elections in Rivers State serve as a cautionary tale. The Action Peoples Party (APP) emerged victorious, winning 22 chairmanship seats, largely due to Fubara’s strategic maneuvering. Similarly, in Abia State, the Labour Party’s internal conflicts and disregard for court orders may pave the way for opposition parties to capitalize on the party’s weaknesses.

As the Abia Local Government Area chairmanship election draws near, it remains to be seen whether the Labour Party will heed the warning signs or succumb to the same pitfalls that plagued the Wike vs Fubara controversy in Rivers State. One thing is certain: the people of Abia State deserve better than a replay of this electoral drama.

The Way Forward

To avoid electoral catastrophe, the Labour Party must:

• Respect Party Democracy: Allow democratically elected candidates to represent the party.
• Obey Court Orders: Recognize Aburi as the authentic chairman, as mandated by the court.
• Unite Party Members: Address internal conflicts and work towards a unified front.

By doing so, the Labour Party can reclaim its legitimacy and present a strong, unified front in the upcoming election. The people of Abia State deserve nothing less.