LP denies suspension of Abure — Nigeria — The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News

Labour Party (LP) national chairman Julius Abure has not been suspended by the district leadership of Wards 3, Arue, Utomi and Esan in the north-east of Edo State, the party said.

The LP’s statement follows a recent report accusing the District 3 Head of Arue-Uromi in Edo State of suspending Abure.

However, the party’s spokesperson, Obiora Ifoh, refuted this claim in a statement on Saturday.

Ifoh described the reports as “false news” and pointed out that only a national convention could suspend the chairman.

“The Labour Party Constitution specifically states in Article 17, paragraph 1 (2019) that only the National Convention, convened for the sole purpose of removing or suspending the National Chairman, can suspend or remove him by a two-thirds majority,” Ifoh said.

He added that neither the district chairman nor the state chairman nor even the state had the power under the constitution to suspend the state chairman.

Ifoh also pointed out that the county chairman Thompson Ehiguese had denied the alleged suspension, stressing that the county was loyal to the chairman and was aware that under the party constitution it did not have the power to remove or suspend a national chairman.

“The Benin Divisional Court of Appeal on August 14, 2023, under the presiding judge, Theresa Ngolika Orji-Abadua, in a case brought by Lucky Shaibu and others against Julius Abure and others, affirmed the judgment of the lower court which held that the National Chairman of the Labour Party cannot be suspended or dismissed by the County Executive.”

Ifoh pointed out that the party leadership is currently investigating the source of the alleged suspension letter.

According to him, the party will act in accordance with party rules when disciplining officials who violate party rules.