TheCable

Toby Okechukwu, deputy minority leader of the house of representatives, says he will not contest the 2023 general election.

Okechukwu, who represents Aninri/Awgu/Oji River federal constituency of Enugu in the lower legislative chamber, said this in reaction to the final list of 2023 candidates published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday.

INEC put the lawmaker’s name as the candidate of the Labour Party (LP) for the aforementioned constituency.

In a statement on Wednesday, Okechukwu said he is not defecting to any party and remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“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,” he said.

“Meanwhile, my position on this matter has 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. 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.”