The Labour Party (LP) has suffered a significant setback as its governorship candidate for the last Bayelsa State election, Udengs Eradiri, along with his running mate, retired Commodore Benjamin Nathus, announced their resignation from the party.
According to reports from The Nation, several local government chairmen of the Labour Party in Bayelsa also followed suit, aligning with Eradiri and Nathus in their decision to leave the party.
In a formal resignation letter dated December 8, 2024, and addressed to the state chairman of the party in Yenagoa, Eradiri explained that his decision was driven by the need to continue his political career on a platform better equipped to provide the kind of leadership Bayelsa requires.
Titled “Letter of Withdrawal as Labour Party Member,” the letter expressed Eradiri’s gratitude to party members who supported his vision for a better Bayelsa and gave him the opportunity to contest as the party’s governorship candidate.
“But unfortunately, we couldn’t scale through the intrigues and challenges implanted in the party leadership,” Eradiri lamented, reflecting on his campaign experience.
He acknowledged the bonds formed during his political journey across Bayelsa, emphasizing the shared desire for impactful leadership.
Eradiri, who secured third place in the Bayelsa governorship election, disclosed that his departure had the backing of his loyal supporters.
In a similar move, his running mate, Commodore Benjamin Nathus (retd), also submitted his resignation letter, citing the desire to pursue a platform committed to driving Bayelsa towards growth and prosperity.
Nathus praised the party members for their support, stating: “I am profoundly grateful for the support and camaraderie of the party members who have shared in our vision for a thriving Bayelsa and graciously provided me the opportunity to serve as a deputy governorship candidate. The journey has been enriched with invaluable experiences and insights.”
Reflecting on his political engagement, Nathus described his time working with dedicated colleagues and community members as an honour, stating that his mission for transformative governance in Bayelsa remains intact.
Eradiri confirmed that ongoing consultations were underway to identify a new political platform that would enable him to better serve the people of Bayelsa.
He emphasized that his decision to switch platforms would be driven by the goal of advancing the state’s development.
“We are consulting seriously and engaging all stakeholders to know the next political party to join. Our next party of interest will be such that will enable us to provide service to the people and mice Bayelsa forward,” Eradiri affirmed.