Edo LP Suspends Julius Abure For Alleged Anti-Party Activities
By Simeon OSAJIE
The National Chairman of Labour Party, Barr. Julius Abure, has been suspended from the membership of the party in Ward 3 in Arue-Uromi, in Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo State for alleged high-handedness and anti-party activities.
Abure’s suspension was as a result of a rigorous deliberation by members of the Ward who cited his “high-handedness and anti-party activities in the administration of the party and other myriads of allegations of fraud leveled against you, which are (currently) under investigation.”
A letter of suspension dated May 14, 2024, and another letter of ratification dated May 15, 2024, both of which were ratified at a meeting of the State Executive Committee (SEC) on Friday May 24, 2024 night in Benin City, stated that “while the suspension is with immediate effect, you are advised to restrain from holding out or parading yourself as a member of Labour Party, Ward 3, Arue – Uromi in Ean North-East LGA, Edo State.”
The letter of suspension was signed by the Ward Chairman, Thompson Ehiguese and Ward Secretary, Stanley Usiomoh.
The letter of ratification of his suspension, was forwarded to the State Executive Committee of the party through the State Chairman by the Local Government Chairman of the party in Esan North-East, Patrick Onogbeni and LGA Secretary, Ehikioya Eromosele.
according to Ehiguese, “While the suspension is with immediate effect, you are advised to refrain from holding out or parading yourself as a member of Labour Party, Ward 3, Arue, Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo State.”
“Here forwarded to you and for your consideration is the ratification of the suspension of Comrade Barr. Julius Abure from the membership of Ward 3, Arue, Uromi, Ean North-East LGA, Edo State.
“The LGA Executive met today, 15th of May, 2024 about 12 noon, to consider the matters presented on the suspension and accordingly found them weighty and the suspension ratified and upheld.”
Speaking at the news conference on Friday night in Benin, the Edo State chairman of LP, Mr. Kelly Ogbaloi said that the State Executive Council have no choice but to endorse the suspension which was also ratified by the party’s executive council in Esan North-East Local Government Area of the state.
Receiving the letter, the State Executive Committee considered the letters, together with the issues contained therein and ratified Abure’s suspension.
The State Executive Committee endorsed the decisions of the Ward and Local Government Committee of the party at a well-attended meeting on Friday night in Benin.City.
The ratification of his suspension, the basis of his chairmanship of the party at the national level has been vitiated, and by implication, he stands suspended as the party’s National Chairman.
Amidst a loud ovation by scores of party supporters, Mr. Patrick Agbontaen, the State Deputy Chairman lashed Mr. Abure, insisting that the party was fed up with the aeries of allegations of misdemeanor against the National Chairman and was fully in agreement with the decision to suspend him until further notice.
The venue of the meeting was charged as leaders and members of the party chanted: “Abure must go!”