JUST IN: Labour Party suspends Abure for ‘anti-party activities’

The crisis rocking the Labour Party (LP) has taken a new turn as the party’s Edo State chapter on Friday suspended the party’s controversial national chairman, Julius Abure, over alleged anti-party activities.

A letter of suspension dated May 14, 2024, and another letter of ratification dated May 15, 2024, both ratified at a meeting of the State Executive Committee in Benin on Friday evening, state that the suspension is effective immediately.

The letters revealed that Abure was suspended from the party in Arue-Uromi Ward 3 in Esan North East Local Government Area of ​​Edo State for alleged arrogance and anti-party activities.

But the LP’s national press secretary, Obiora Ifoh, was quick to react and said: Daily trust that he was aware of the development and that the actions of the opponents could not be accepted because they violated the constitution of the LP.

The executives who suspended Abure said their action was the result of careful deliberations by the district’s members, citing Abure’s “arrogance and anti-party activities in the party leadership, as well as countless other fraud allegations against him that are (currently) under investigation.”

“Although the suspension takes effect immediately, you are advised not to impersonate or display yourself as a member of the Labour Party, Ward 3, Arue, Uromi in Ean North-East LGA, Edo State,” the letter said.

The suspension letter was signed by District Chairman Thompson Ehiguese and District Secretary Stanley Usiomoh.

Furthermore, the letter confirming his suspension was forwarded by the party’s Esan North East Local Government Chairman, Patrick Onogbeni, and the LGA Secretary, Ehikioya Eromosele, to the party’s State Executive Committee through the State Chairman.

The letters state, among other things: “The Board of the LGA met today, May 15, 2024, at approximately 12 noon to discuss the matters set out in connection with the suspension and, accordingly, found them to be of weight and confirmed the suspension.”

“The State Board reviewed the letters and the issues contained therein and confirmed Abure’s suspension.

“With the confirmation of his suspension, the basis of his party leadership at the national level has been undermined and the consequence is that he is suspended as national chairman of the party.”

You can’t suspend Abure -Ifoh
Ifoh said Article 17(1) of the Labour Party’s 2019 Constitution clearly states that only the National Convention, convened for the sole purpose of removing the National Chairman, by a two-thirds majority, can suspend or remove the Chairman.

“The county, the LG or even the state have no power to suspend the national chairman. A high court in Edo has also ruled on this matter. An appeal court has also ruled on this matter.

“This attack is a continuation of the attacks on Abure that we saw during the governorship primaries. This too will not achieve anything and we are not worried,” Ifoh said.