The ongoing crisis within the Edo State chapter of the Labour Party in anticipation of the September 21, 2024, gubernatorial election persists as the national leadership, under Julius Abure, removed Kelly Ogbaloi from his position as head of the state executive.
Subsequently, Elizabeth Ativie, the former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, was appointed to lead a 17-member caretaker committee by the national leadership.
The deputy national chairman, Dr. Ayo Olorunfemi, officially inaugurated the committee at a hotel in Benin City on Monday.
Olorunfemi also included Ken Omusi, the suspended state youth leader who had previously taken actions against the state executives, in the committee.
During the inauguration, Olorunfemi explained that the change in leadership was necessitated by the expiration of the Ogbaloi-led executive council’s tenure in April 2024.
The caretaker committee is tasked with overseeing the party’s operations until a new executive is elected through a fresh congress.
Olorunfemi highlighted Elizabeth Ativie’s appointment as chairman due to her successful track record in various political roles.
He emphasized the importance of unity within the party and expressed confidence that the Ativie-led committee would strengthen the party’s cohesion in Edo State.
In her acceptance speech, Elizabeth Ativie expressed gratitude to the national leadership for entrusting her with the role and pledged to elevate the party’s status in the state.
Ativie also committed to reconciling all disgruntled party members and announced plans to establish a reconciliation team to address outstanding issues.
Kelly Ogbaloi, the ousted chairman, stated that his executives were unaware of the leadership changes in the state when reached for comment.
The Edo State Labour Party executive has not been dissolved, as there is a proper process that needs to be followed. It cannot be done by just one person waking up and removing a structure that has been in place.
The National Working Committee of the party, under the leadership of Julius Abure, had agreed that there would be no congress in Edo State until after the governorship election scheduled for September 21, 2024.
The understanding was that the current executive should be allowed to focus on the state election, and then the Congress can take place. However, the Kelly Ogbaloi-led state executive has suspended Julius Abure as the national chairman of the party.
On the other hand, Julius Abure, in a letter, stated that the new executives of the party should work together with the party’s governorship candidate, Olumide Akapata, to ensure victory in the governorship election.
