Hon. Ceekay Igara, the Abia State governorship candidate of the Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party, has raised the alarm over alleged threats to his life, calling on security agencies to provide protection for him, his aides and political associates.

Igara’s concerns, according to his camp, stem from a series of threatening text messages and telephone calls allegedly received in connection with his position on the protracted leadership crisis within the Labour Party.

The party chieftain is said to have come under increasing pressure over his insistence that the dispute surrounding the party’s national leadership must be resolved in accordance with the law and the party’s constitution.

The development comes amid renewed legal and political manoeuvring over the control of the Labour Party ahead of the 2027 general elections, with rival camps laying competing claims to the party’s leadership and electoral structures.

Igara and his associates maintain that the Abure-led leadership has a legitimate basis for contesting the decisions that recognised the rival leadership, insisting that the outstanding legal issues deserve a definitive determination by the Supreme Court.

They argue that the outcome of the pending appeal could have significant implications for the party’s leadership, the validity of its internal electoral processes and the recognition of candidates presented by the contending camps.

For Igara, the stakes extend beyond an internal party disagreement. His supporters contend that the dispute could determine whether his governorship candidacy receives official recognition from the Independent National Electoral Commission, subject to the applicable law and the final judicial outcome.

However, the courts have previously ruled against Abure’s leadership claims, and the Court of Appeal affirmed the recognition of Nenadi Usman’s leadership in April 2026. Abure has indicated his intention to challenge that decision at the Supreme Court.

Against this backdrop, Igara’s camp insists that political disagreements must not degenerate into intimidation, harassment or violence.

The alleged threats, raises serious concerns about the safety of political actors and the atmosphere in which parties are preparing for the next electoral cycle.

Igara is therefore calling on the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services and other relevant security agencies to investigate the reported communications, identify those responsible and take preventive measures to avert any possible attack.

He is also seeking adequate protection for his aides, associates and other individuals who may be exposed to danger because of their political affiliations or participation in the ongoing dispute.

Igara’s position is that no political disagreement, however contentious, should become a justification for endangering human life.

As the Labour Party leadership dispute approaches another critical legal stage, security agencies are being urged to treat the allegations seriously, while all parties are expected to respect the judicial process.

Ultimately, the Supreme Court, not threats, intimidation or political pressure must determine the legal questions before it. Equally, any allegation of criminal threats must be investigated on its merits, irrespective of the political affiliation of the complainant or those suspected of involvement.

For a state preparing for another fiercely contested governorship election, the protection of political actors and the preservation of peaceful democratic competition remain matters of public interest.