By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
A Labour Party chieftain, Hon Apst Jegede Idemudia who is the Edo State Labour Party Publicity Secretary, has advised party members against dealing with Julius Abure as National Chairman.
Idemudia said, Abure had been restrained by a High Court from parading himself as the Acting national Chairman of LP and currently undergoing interrogation at the Force Headquarters for series of allegations against him and members of his supporters..
According to Idemudia, also Kelly Ogbaloi is the former Chairman of LP in Edo State. His tenure has expired after 13 years of his occupation of the office and currently on suspension from the party for his anti-party activities .
He alleged that, “Julius Abure and Kelly Ogbaloi are neither interested in the growth of LP, nor in the victory of the party in any election. Their interest is how to make personal gains at the expense of the image and survival of Labour Party.”
“If Julius Abure and Kelly Ogbaloi were members of LP, they should have been concerned with the issues of how to conduct LP Congresses and Convention to meet with the Constitutional requirements of LP and the Electoral laws of Nigeria.”
Idemudia said , “The clear fact is that Julius Abure is not the acting national Chairman of LP and Kelly Ogbaloi is not the Chairman of LP in Edo State. “That the acting national Chairman of Labour Party, is the most respected Alhaji Lamidi Apapa. The recent judgment of the federal High Court on the conduct of gubernatorial primaries in Imo State, Kogi and Beyelsa States clearly stated that Lamidi Apapa is the acting national Chairman that is recognised by law and the only authority that can conduct valid primaries. “ he stated.
Adding that, “Hon.Ehiwe Ikuoyemwen is the acting Chairman of Labour Party in Edo State. Julius Abure and Kelly Ogbaloi are impostors and should be ignored by all responsible members of the Labour Party in Nigeria.” Idemudia stated.
He further stated that, “Julius Abure and Kelly Ogbaloi have not accounted for the money sent for the Labour Party agents and other electoral logistics in Edo State during the last general elections. Alleging that Julius Abure and Kelly Ogbaloi sold the House of Assembly nomination forms to the ruling Political Party and alleged to have collected the money at the expense of the aspirants on the platform of the LP. Julius Abure and Kelly Ogbaloi against the directive of the national chairman collected money from Local government Chairmanship and Councillorship in Edo State despite the directive of the acting national Chairman, Alhaji Lamidi Apapa that the nomination forms for the aspirants should be free because of the uncertainty surrounding the proposed conduct of local government election in Edo State. “
He queried how the duo of Julius Abure and Kelly Ogbaloi that have been removed from office by court be presiding over a LP stakeholders meeting in Benin city.
He advised, Labour Party Patriots, good people of Edo State and Nigeria to beware of Julius Abure and Kelly Ogbaloi. Labour Party is a responsible political party committed to the integrity of members and the rule of law in Nigeria. Labour Party through the leadership of the acting national Chairman, Alhaji Lamidi Apapa is developing programmes for the growth of LP based on the principle of integrity and respect for the laws and Constitution of Nigeria.
“At the appropriate time the party will unfold the agenda for the determination to participate and win the Edo State 2024 governorship election with a focus on the integrity of the party and the best character of all leaders and members of Labour Party in Edo State in particular and Nigeria in general.
Concluding, Idemudia , “advised Labour Party members and all good people of Nigeria to be wary of Julius Abure and Kelly Ogbaloi and they should be ignored in entirety”. He concluded.