The Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Toby Okechukwu has distanced himself from the list published by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, which included his name as the Labour Party candidate.

DAILY Pilot reports that Okechukwu’s name featured as the LP’s candidate for Awgu/Oji-River/Aninri Federal Constituency.

He is listed as number 4 on the list released by the INEC on Tuesday.

However, in a statement he personally signed on Wednesday, the lawmaker, in what appears to be a U-turn, said he would no longer contest for any position in 2023.

He said he would rather remain in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The statement reads:

“My attention has been drawn to the list of candidates for the 2023 general election released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on 20th September 2022 wherein my name was published as the Labour Party Candidate for Aninri/Awgu/Oji River Federal Constituency, Enugu State.

“I wish to state that I will not be contesting as the candidate of the Labour Party or any other party in the said election. I remain a member of the Peoples Democratic Party.

“Meanwhile, my position on this matter had since been conveyed to the National Chairman of the Labour Party in my letter dated 19th July 2022.

“I deeply appreciate and can never take for granted the overwhelming goodwill of my leaders, constituents and their wish for me to be on the ballot in the 2023 general election.

“I very much understand the pains my decision is bound to cause them. However, I believe and wish to reassure them that as a constituent, I will continue to do my best and be of utmost service to them in or out of public office.

“While thanking them for their immense support and love through the years, I am supremely confident that God will remain the ultimate compass in our affairs.”

DeLaRue:
Why did he contest Labour Party primary if he wasn't sure he would stand in the proper election.

Now Labour will have no candidate for that constituency.

That's bad.

NaijaRoyalty:
He's a member of PDP not Labour Party

INEC should always get there information right

Ddokie:


Because he was the stooge of the governor. That is exactly what they did across board. Luckily for Labor, they identified many of them before time. I guess this one slipped.

Jennifer663:
Confirm

ursullalinda:



The guy is a criminal......He fell out with the Governor and lost at PDP primaries.....So he went to Labour with bag of money and bought his way in with forged documents thereby arm twisting a young guy Engr Chijioke Okereke who won the primaries.....The young man is about to sue his sorry ass and he rushed out with this disclaimer.....If i were to be the young man i will make alot of money from him......Greedy desperate Politicians .

Ddokie:


Because he was the stooge of the governor. That is exactly what they did across board. Luckily for Labor, they identified many of them before time. I guess this one slipped.

Dapson73:




So your over hyped Labour party is selling their mandate to the highest bidder.

I keep saying Obi is in for business and not politics in real sense.

I can't phantom how Obi will think he can win Atiku talkless of Asiwaju.

Corridon:
He is unpopular.

Dapson73:

So your over hyped Labour party is selling their mandate to the highest bidder.

I keep saying Obi is in for business and not politics in real sense.

I can't phantom how Obi will think he can win Atiku talkless of Asiwaju.