Prince Hez Okonkwo, a former House of Representatives candidate for the Labour Party (LP) in Anambra State, has reaffirmed his commitment to the party and his support for Peter Obi.
In a statement released on Thursday, Okonkwo addressed rumors circulating on social media that he participated in a recent press conference led by the party’s former national chairman, Julius Abure, where it was claimed that the party’s automatic ticket for Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti had been withdrawn.
Okonkwo labelled the rumors as “malicious propaganda” and a “campaign of calumny” orchestrated by unidentified political interests.
He clarified that he was not present at the press conference, having been in Kaduna State for personal business on that day. He emphasised his longstanding friendship with Obi, which predates their involvement in the Labour Party.
Okonkwo stated, “My attention has been drawn to a malicious propaganda and campaign of calumny targeted at my person by certain political interests in Anambra State.
“In their latest effort to paint me black and create a bogus image for my person, a screenshot of Channels Television news aired on Monday September 9, 2024 where the former Chairman of the Labour Party, Mr. Julius Abure addressed a press conference in Abuja, is being circulated mainly on WhatsApp platforms, purporting that I was in the press conference.
“Ordinarily I would ignore the shenanigans of detractors, but for the record, it is important that I make it clear here and now that I, Prince Sir Hez Okonkwo, Ochiagha Lilu, has nothing to do with the said press conference.
“I was neither invited nor took part in such frivolity. I am sure that the organisers of the press conference have the record of those they invited.”
Speaking further, he added, “I am not oblivious of the fact that some persons created this falsehood to create a doubt between me and my dear brother and friend, His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections.
“It is, However, important that these faceless individuals realise that my friendship with Peter Obi predates the Labour Party.
“It should be noted without any fear of contradiction that, aside being my brother and friend, Peter Obi is someone I totally align with politically, and that is why I joined other patriotic Anambrarians to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the Labour Party in the buildup to the 2023 general elections.
“Also, let me make it clear that it is illogical for anyone to insinuate that I would join anyone or group to fight Peter Obi in the Labour Party- what is Labour Party without Okute Ndigbo?”
Follow the Parallel Facts channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCQSAoHgZWiDjR3Kn2E
