Journalists were barred from entering the Grand Seasons Hotel in Nnewi, Anambra State, where the Labour Party held its National Convention last Wednesday.
There was heavy security presence at the hotel which might not be unconnected with the crisis in the party.
Series of calls and text messages sent to the spokesman of the party, Obiorah Ifoh, urging him to avail journalists with tags that could facilitate their entry into the venue were rebuffed.
Meanwhile, five persons who were branded hoodlums were reportedly arrested at the venue and taken to the police headquarters in Awka for questioning.
The five persons were said to be distributing inciting leaflets critical of the leadership of the party and were accused of trying to cause crisis at the convention.
A party source said the intention of those elements and their sponsors was to destabilize the convention.
Recall that the Labour Party has been experiencing crisis following a party leadership tussle over who becomes the National Chairman of the party, a move, many political watchers see as discouraging. (The Appeal Court in Abuja recently recognized the leadership of Mr Julius Abure who leads the Peter Obi faction).
A source said the leaders of the party were managing every information to avoid stirring unnecessary political tension.
Culled from Razor Online
