The conflict between the two chairmen of the Labour Party’s section in Edo State took on a new dimension on Friday when they showed up for a stakeholders’ meeting that was arranged by the Independent National Electoral Commission, or INEC.
The gathering was arranged for political parties and security forces in advance of the state’s governorship election on September 21, 2024, according to Obasanjonews.com.
Attending the meeting were Mrs. Elizabeth Ativie and Kelly Ogbaloi, the two LP factional chairs.
According to Obasanjonews.com, Elizabeth Ativie leads the 17-member caretaker committee that supports Julius Abure, the party’s national chairman, while Kelly Ogbaloi supports Barrister Olumide Akpata, the party’s candidate for governor.
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The alleged suspension of Julius Abure as the party’s national chairman by his ward executives in Arue-Uromi, Esan North-East local government area, was approved by the Ogbaloi-led state executive last Friday.
The Ogbaloi-led state executive was removed by the Abure-led LP national leadership in retribution, and a 17-member temporary committee headed by Elizabeth Ativie was appointed.
According to Abure, the Ogbaloi-led executive’s dissolution was brought about by the end of its term in April 2024.
Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the INEC chairman, presided over the stakeholders’ meeting together with other senior Commission employees from Abuja and the state.
During her introduction, Ativie stated that she is the state’s newest and youngest political party chairman.
The Honourable Elizabeth Uyimwen Ativie is who I am. With God’s blessing, I am Edo State’s Labour Party’s Chairman and the youngest person in the office,” she remarked.
Ogbaloi also gave a self-introduction, stating, “My name is Comrade Kelly Ogbaloi (KSE), Chairman of the Labour Party of Edo State.”
The turn of events sent the hall into fits of laughing.
