By Akinsuroju Olubunmi
Crisis Continues: LP sacks Edo exco.
The turmoil within the Edo State chapter of the Labour Party escalated on Monday as the Julius Abure-led national leadership dismissed the state executive headed by Kelly Ogaloi.
In its stead, the party’s national secretariat established a 17-member caretaker committee, chaired by former state House of Assembly Speaker Elizabeth Ativie, to manage the chapter’s affairs.
The crisis intensified on May 25, 2024, when leaders in Arue-Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area, suspended Abure, citing high-handedness and anti-party activities. Letters of suspension and ratification, dated May 14 and 15, respectively, were confirmed at a state executive committee meeting on May 24, 2024, in Benin, declaring the suspension effective immediately.
The state executive advised Abure to cease representing himself as a Labour Party member in Ward 3, Arue, Uromi, Esan North-East LGA, Edo State. However, the national body denied awareness of the suspension and affirmed Abure’s status as a member and national chairman of the party.
To address the state executive’s actions, the national leadership inaugurated a caretaker committee on Monday, with the ceremony led by Deputy National Chairman Dr. Ayo Olorunfemi.
Administering the oath to the caretaker committee, Dr. Olorunfemi stated that the new state leadership was installed as the Ogbaloi-led executive council’s tenure ended in April. The new leadership is to manage affairs until a new executive is elected.
Ativie was appointed state chairman due to her proven track record in political positions, said Dr. Olorunfemi, who called for unity within the party, assuring that the new committee would unify the state chapter.
Hon Esosa Iyawe, representing Oredo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, praised the national leadership for appointing Ativie as the caretaker committee chairman. He expressed the party’s readiness for the state governorship election in September, with Olumide Akpata as the candidate.
Osaro Omoruyi, representing Egor/Ikpoba Okha Federal Constituency, also lauded the new leadership and emphasized the need to unite all aggrieved members. He voiced confidence in Ativie’s capability to advance the party.
In her acceptance speech, Ativie vowed to elevate the party in the state and promised to reconcile all internal disputes.
Leadership, Committee.
Crisis Continues: LP sacks Edo exco