Disarray in Edo LP as Abure dissolves state exco

There is no end in sight in the crisis rocking the Edo State Chapter of Labour Party (LP), as the National Leadership of Party headed by Barrister Julius Abure, on Monday constituted a 17-man caretaker committee to oversee the affairs of the party in Edo.

But contacted on Phone, the Publicity Secretary of the party in Edo, Samson Uroupa, said that the development is not for the interest of majority members of the party in the state.

He contended that the dissolution of the state Executive of the Labour Party will not stand

Uroupa argued further that the decision is capable of breeding more crisis in the party, adding that it will not help the party in its election quest in Edo.

Recall that the State chapter of the party, led by Comrade Kelly Ogbaloi recently endorsed the suspension of the Labour Party National Chairman, Barr. Julius Abure.

Reacting swiftly to the suspension, the Labour Party National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, described the suspension of Abure as illegal, unconstitutional and noted that it contravened the party’s constitution, Article 17 subsection 1 (2019).

Ifoh maintained that it is only the national convention convened solely for the purpose of removal/suspension of the party’s chairman with two third majority that has the right to suspend or remove the party national chairman.

In a twist of event, the national leadership of the party said the 17-man caretaker committee is headed by the former Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Hon Mrs Elizabeth Ativie.

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The new state executive committee of the Labour Party was inaugurated in Benin city by the Deputy National Chairman, Dr Ayo Olorunfemi.

Administering oath of office on members of the Caretaker committee of the party, Dr Olorunfemi said the new leadership of the party in Edo came on board following the expiration of the tenure of the Comrade Kelly Ogbaloi-led executive council which he said ended in April, 2024.

He said the new leadership of the party in the state is expected to take charge of affairs of the party pending when a fresh congress will hold to elect a new executive in the state .

He explained that the party decided to appoint Hon. Ativie as the state Chairman of the party owing to her positive and track record in politics.

In her acceptance address, Ativie promised to move the party to higher level, just as she vowed to reconcile all aggrieved members in the party.

She disclosed that a reconciliation team to resolve all pending issues in the party would soon be set up by her leadership.

Reacting to the emergence of Active, the member representing Oredo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Esosa lyawe commended the national leadership of the party for appointing Hon Elizabeth Ativie as the chairman of the caretaker committee.

He said the party is ready to go into the State Governorship election coming up in September this year with Barrister Olumide Akapata as its gubernatorial candidate.

Also speaking, a member representing Egor/lkpoba Okha Federal Constituency , Hon. Murphy Osaro Omoruyi congratulated the new leadership of the labour party in Edo state and stressed the need to unite all aggrieved parties.
Hon Omoruyi expressed confidence that Hon Ativie will be able to move the party forward.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE