Edo: Labor Party unveils governorship campaign council, suspends youth leader

Ahead of the Edo State governorship election on September 21, the state leadership of the Labor Party has unveiled its governorship campaign council.

DAILY POST reports that the party’s State Chairman, Kelly Ogbaloi, unveiled the campaign council members while addressing journalists after a State Working Committee stakeholders meeting with senators, local government leaders and executives from the 18 local government areas of the state.

The meeting, which took place at the party’s secretariat in Benin City, was also attended by Barrister Olumide Akpata and Prince Yusuf Asamah Kadiri, the party’s gubernatorial candidate and vice president respectively.

Ogbaloi said the members of the campaign council would be inaugurated into office on Monday, May 13, 2024.

He said the campaign council would be led by Reverend Sam Omede as the general manager, with Dr. Ehikioya Agboga as Deputy Director and the Deputy Director General for Edo Central Senatorial District.

Other members of the council include Senator Ned Imasuen, who represents Edo South Senatorial District in the Senate, and Hon Esosa Iyawe and Hon Murphy Osaro Omoruyi, who represent Oredo and Egor/Ikpoba Okha Federal Constituencies respectively in the National Assembly.

“In preparation for the upcoming elections, we have carefully selected individuals of impeccable character to lead the state campaign council and local government campaign committees,” he said.

The State Labor Party Chairman, who last Thursday condemned the alleged invasion of the secretariat by the party’s youth leader, Ken Omusi, noted that he (youth leader) has since been suspended for anti-party activities.

He announced Dan Ero from Oredo Local Government Area as his successor.

Ogbaloi added that in the spirit of brotherhood ahead of the governorship election, the state working committee lifted the suspension previously imposed on some members

According to him, the state executive would set up a reconciliation committee to make peace with all aggrieved members before the election.

However, he appealed to party members to take advantage of the upcoming new voter registration to expand the voter base and ensure broader participation in the electoral process.

“A strong membership drive should be launched to attract new members and reconcile with the disaffected individuals who have legitimate grievances,” he added.

He equally called on all members of the party as well as eligible voters in the state to rally behind the Labor Party governorship candidate, Barrister Olumide Akpata and his Vice President, Prince Yusuf Asamah Kadiri in the election.