Edo poll: Drama as two Edo LP chairmen attend INEC, stakeholders’ meeting

There was mild drama on Friday at a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 17 political parties for the Edo 2024 governorship election when fractional chairmen of the Labour Party (LP) in Edo introduced themselves to the Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

The fractional chairmen who struggled to introduce themselves were the former Speakers of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. (Mrs.) Elizabeth Ativie and Comrade Kelly Ogbaloi.

The stakeholders meeting was to meet with the leadership of the various political parties participating in the September 21 governorship election in the state.

It would be recalled that the Julius Abure-led national leadership of the party, on Monday, May 27, dissolved the Kelly Ogbaloi-led exco in the state and swore in a caretaker committee, headed by Mrs. Ativie.

Abure’s excuse was that the tenure of the dissolved exco had since expired in the month of April 2024.

But prior to the coming on board of Ativie’s committee, Kelly Ogbaloi-led exco endorsed the suspension of Barr. Julius Abure as National Chairman of the Labour Party.

The comic side of the Friday meeting in Benin began when the chairmen of the parties present were called upon to introduce themselves.

Interestingly, the parallel chairmen of the Labour Party sat beside themselves.

Mrs Ativie, who was the first to introduce herself, said, “I am the Right Honourable Elizabeth Uyimwen Ativie. By the grace of God, I am the youngest and the latest chairman in town, the Chairman of the Labour Party, Edo State.”

As soon as she finished introducing herself, Mrs Ativie, in an attempt to give the microphone to the next person, stretched her hand beyond Ogbaloi, who was next to her. The latter, however, grabbed the microphone from Ativie to introduce himself.

Ogbaloi’s introduction went thus: “I am Comrade Kelly Ogbaloi (KSE), chairman, Labour Party, Edo State.”

No sooner than the two fractional chairmen introduced themselves, the hall roared in laughter. The same occurred during the interactive session.

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