The Labour Party (LP) in Edo State has suspended its national chairman, Julius Abure, following a ratification by the state executive of his suspension from Arue Ward 3, Esan North-East Local Government Area. The suspension was detailed in a letter dated May 14, 2024, and addressed to Abure.
During a press conference held on Friday night in Benin City, the Edo State capital, Patrick Onogbenin, the LP Esan North-East LG Chairman, disclosed that he received the suspension letter from Ward 3 Chairman, Thompson Ehiguese. The letter cited Abure’s alleged high-handedness, antiparty activities, and other allegations of fraud currently under investigation.
Onogbenin stated that the local government executive deliberated on the issues raised and found them substantial enough to forward to the state executive for ratification.
The state chairman of the Labour Party, Kelly Ogbaloi, upon receiving and reading the letters, confirmed the state executive’s decision to uphold the suspension. Ogbaloi emphasized the reluctance but necessity of the decision, given its origination from Abure’s home ward.
“The state executive council is extremely reluctant to ordinarily adopt this kind of situation but I must tell you that tonight we are very constrained and have no options whatsoever at our disposal to refuse this presentation,” Ogbaloi stated.
“This is more so when it is indeed coming from the very ward where Barrister Julius Abure originates. We therefore find no iota of evidence that has the capacity to prohibit us from agreeing to ratify the suspension.”
He further elaborated, “On behalf of the state executive committee, we have the suspension ratified. Please take notice that you have been suspended from the membership of Ward 3, Arue, Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government, Edo State. This decision was reached after rigorous deliberation by members of the ward in consideration of your high-handedness, antiparty activities in the administration of the party, and other myriads of allegations of fraud levelled against you which are currently under investigation.”
The suspension marks a significant development in the Labour Party’s internal affairs, reflecting ongoing tensions and allegations within the party’s leadership.