Labour Party candidate says election is “a contest of ideas, not enemies” as he reaffirms bid for 2027 House of Representatives seat.
Enugu State — Labour Party candidate for the Igbo Eze North/Udenu Federal Constituency, Chinedu Eya, has congratulated Dr. Ejike Alumona on his reported emergence as the flag bearer of the New Democratic Congress (NDC) for the same House of Representatives seat, even as he reaffirmed his own commitment to contest the 2027 general election.
In a statement released Friday, Eya described Alumona as his “brother and friend,” extending goodwill ahead of what is expected to be a closely watched constituency race in the run-up to the January 16, 2027 election.
A Contest of Ideas, Not Enmity
Despite the emerging three-way contest — which now includes Eya of the Labour Party, Alumona of the NDC, and Johnson Ogbugo of the PDP — the candidate insisted the race would not be defined by personal rivalry.
“This election is not a battle between enemies,” Eya said. “It is a contest of ideas, competence, character, capacity and vision.”
He noted that all three leading candidates share ties to the Ozzii extraction within the constituency, and urged supporters across party lines to preserve relationships that predate the political contest.
Eya revealed that he had previously considered stepping aside from the race “in the interest of unity, brotherhood and our collective aspiration,” describing it as a sacrifice he was willing to make for a cause he believed was “bigger than any individual.” He stopped short of criticizing Alumona’s decision not to reciprocate, saying he respected his rival’s right to pursue his own political convictions.
Campaign Built on Development, Not Attacks
Rather than campaign against personalities, Eya said his bid would center on a platform addressing:
- Economic empowerment for youths
- Improved infrastructure across the constituency
- Access to quality education
- Enhanced security
- Stronger representation for Igbo Eze North/Udenu in the National Assembly
He called on his supporters to campaign “vigorously, but with dignity,” urging them to “persuade with facts, not insults” and to “win votes, not enemies.”
A Message to the Labour Party Family
Eya also used the statement to address members of the Labour Party more broadly, describing the party as a political foundation from which many current candidates across the APC, NDC, and PDP had emerged.
Drawing on the metaphor of a mother whose children have taken different paths, he expressed hope that a Labour Party victory in the constituency would mark what he called “the rebirth of the Labour Party in our constituency and beyond,” while extending an open invitation to former members considering a return to the party.
Election Set for January 16, 2027
With the Independent National Electoral Commission’s timetable placing the House of Representatives election for Igbo Eze North/Udenu on January 16, 2027, all three candidates are expected to intensify grassroots campaigning in the coming months.
Eya closed his statement with a pledge to “campaign with honour,” “lead with integrity,” and “serve with courage,” urging constituents to look beyond party affiliation when making their choice at the polls.
