Member representing Aba North and Aba South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, has declared that his performance in office and the growing influence of the Labour Party in Abia State discouraged potential challengers from contesting against him ahead of the party’s primaries.
Speaking after undergoing screening at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, Ikwechegh said he remained confident of victory in the May 30 primaries, revealing that no aspirant purchased nomination forms to challenge him for the Aba North/Aba South federal constituency seat.
According to him, the absence of opposition within the party was a reflection of confidence in his representation and the peaceful internal structure of the Labour Party in the state.
“I’m very confident that we will come out on top. No one procured forms to contest against me because of the work we have done and the peaceful way our party conducts its affairs,” he said.
The lawmaker credited the growing acceptance of the party in the state to the leadership of Alex Chioma Otti, whom he described as the driving force behind the Labour Party’s rising popularity.
“Governor Alex Otti has performed exceptionally well. Today, you can clearly see that Labour Party is on the rise and Abia State is also witnessing transformation,” he stated.
On the debate surrounding consensus arrangements and direct primaries, Ikwechegh maintained that both methods remain lawful democratic options recognised under Nigeria’s Electoral Act.
He described consensus candidacy as a political understanding reached when stakeholders collectively identify a candidate they consider best positioned to secure victory for the party.
“If stakeholders and party faithful agree on one candidate they believe can best represent the party and win the general election, then consensus naturally becomes the preferred option,” he explained.
The federal lawmaker also rejected claims that governors often hijack consensus arrangements to impose candidates, insisting that such decisions are usually initiated by stakeholders at the grassroots level.
“The governor may have influence, but stakeholders are usually the ones who recommend the candidate they want. It is not always about imposition,” he added.
Commenting on the upsets recorded during the primaries of the ruling All Progressives Congress, where several prominent politicians reportedly lost tickets, Ikwechegh said such outcomes were part of democratic politics.
“There are people many thought could never lose primaries, but they did. That is politics. But for us in the Labour Party, our focus is on strengthening our structures and moving forward,” he noted.
Ikwechegh also addressed the lingering leadership dispute within the Labour Party, insisting that former national chairman, Julius Abure, no longer occupies the party’s leadership position.
According to him, Nenadi Usman remains the recognised national chairman of the party.
He, however, extended an olive branch to aggrieved members and former leaders, urging them to return to the party in the interest of unity ahead of future elections.
“We have extended the hand of fellowship to everyone. Governor Otti is magnanimous, and if they return, they will be welcomed because together we are stronger,” he said.