The Mrs. Elizabeth Ativie-led seventeen-member caretaker committee of the Labour Party (LP) in Edo State, which was inaugurated in Benin on Monday by LP’s Deputy National Chairman, Dr. Ayo Olorunfemi, has passed a vote of confidence in the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC).
Ativie, a former Edo Speaker, was reacting to the invasion of LP’s national secretariat in Abuja by some members of the party.
LP’s caretaker chairman in Edo said: “The invaders were sponsored by some persons, who do not wish the party well. The protesters wanted to undermine the LP, as they were hired from a nearby market in Abuja.
“The National Chairman of LP, Barr. Julius Abure, is a jolly good fellow, who has moved the party to an enviable height. Under his leadership, LP now has a governor, national and state assemblies members. Such a leader should be well commended and congratulated.”
Ativie also told the “disgruntled” politicians, who were attempting to divide LP, to have a rethink, and work for the party, in order to move forward in Nigeria.
She said: “They should give peace a chance and allow the party to win more laurels during the forthcoming elections in the country.
“We, the leaders and members of LP in Edo State, are strongly behind Barrister Julius Abure, our indefatigable, articulate and vibrant National Chairman.
“Edo LP is fully ready to prosecute the September 21, 2024 governorship election, which has Barr. Olumide Osaigbovo Akpata, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), as our standard bearer. We hope to emerge victorious in the election, and for Barr. Akpata to succeed PDP’s Governor Godwin Obaseki on November 12 this year.”
The caretaker chairman of LP in Edo also pleaded with all members of the party to rally round Akpata, towards ensuring victory in the forthcoming election in the South South State.
The Youth leader of Edo Labour Party (LP) Ken Mouse has sacked the Comrade Kelly Ogbaloi-led State Working Committee (SWC).
He declared himself the acting state chairman ahead of the September 21 governorship election in Edo.
Omusi, while speaking with reporters at Edo state secretariat of LP in Benin, also named Stanley Orobosa as acting Secretary.
He said the change of leadership was necessitated by the alleged draconian and tyrannical leadership style of the disbanded state executive.
He also stated the 18 local governments’ working committee and 192 wards’ working committee remained dissolved.
The acting chairman claimed he had been a member of LP since 2006 and served under three national chairmen, including Dan Iwuanyanwu, Alhaji A. Abdulsalam and Julius Abure.
He accused the Ogbaloi of high-handedness and unilaterally suspending members without recourse to the party’s constitution.
He alleged that no fewer than 350 members of LP in Edo had been suspended by the SWC in the last three months.
Omusi said: “What is happening in LP in Edo State has never happened in the party anywhere else in the country, not even at the national level.
“None of LP members in Edo that were suspended were ever disciplined, according to the party’s constitution.”
The acting chairman stated that the change of leadership in Edo had been forwarded to the national leadership of LP for ratification.
But Ogbaloi stated that he remained the substantive chairman of LP in Edo, declaring that Omusi and his “co travellers” lacked the legal powers to remove any SWC member.
He said he was in Abuja in a meeting with the national chairman of LP stressing only the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party had the powers to remove any SWC member.
Ogbaloi gave the assurance that the “minor disagreement” in Edo chapter of LP would soon be resolved.
Five aspirants are eyeing the ticket of the Labour Party (LP) in Edo State ahead of the governorship primary scheduled for February 22. In this report, Southsouth Bureau Chief BISI OLANIYI profiles the aspirants.
Given the impact it made in Edo State during the 2023 presidential election, the Labour Party (LP) is expected to challenge the dominance of the two major parties, the People’s Democratic Party– (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), – in this year’s governorship election in the Southsouth state. It was the popularity of Peter Obi, the LP presidential candidate in the 2023 election, that worked in favour of the party in Edo State, where it defeated the candidates of both the PDP and the APC.
As the ruling party in Edo State, the PDP ought to have an edge over the other parties in the off-cycle governorship poll but for the division within its ranks. The face-off between Governor Godwin Obaseki and the PDP National Vice Chairman (Southsouth), Chief Dan Orbih, aided the LP’s performance in the state in the 2023 election, as numerous displeased PDP members massively voted for the LP or APC. Unless the PDP manages to put its house in order, it may mar its participation in the Edo governorship.
From relative obscurity, the LP has become the beautiful bride in Edo State, with many notable politicians defecting to the hitherto unpopular party. In line with the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the party has fixed February 22 for the conduct of its primary, according to a communique by Obiorah Ifoh, its national publicity secretary. Five aspirants are eyeing the party’s ticket for the Edo governorship election, which is scheduled to be held on September 21. Edo LP Chairman, Comrade Kelly Ogbaloi has assured all aspirants that there would be a level playing field for everyone. He called on them to support whoever emerges as the party’s standard bearer.
The aspirants who are expected to participate in the primary are Kenneth Imansuagbon, Olumide Akpata, Ogbemudia Bassey Osagie, Dr Dorry Okojie and Sergius Ogun.
Kenneth Imansuagbon:
Kenneth Imansuagbon is a lawyer and philanthropist from Ewohimi, in Esan Southeast Local Government Area. He is popularly referred to as the Riceman because of his regular distribution of bags of rice to Edo residents.
Imansuagbon who hails from Edo Central Senatorial District, which is favoured by zoning to produce Obaseki’s successor, has been eyeing the governorship position for some time. Ahead of the LP primary, he has urged leaders of his party not to make the mistake of giving the governorship ticket to a political neophyte.
He met local government executive members of the party recently at Igarra, to formally inform them of his aspiration to succeed Obaseki. He also used the opportunity to commence his regular distribution of free bags of rice across the 18 local governments of the state.
Imansuangbon said if given the mandate to fly the party’s flag and elected governor, his administration would emphasize infrastructural and human capital development.
He told the party leaders: “Do not make the mistake of giving your votes to an unpopular aspirant. We need an experienced and popular governorship candidate who can defeat the eventual candidates of the APC and the PDP.
“I am a man who has been consistent and feeding the Edo people for 20 years. This shows my commitment and desire to impact the lives of the Edo people if given the opportunity to lead the state as governor. If you vote and give me your ticket, you have voted for your future and your children’s future. I am the only one that can nail the political coffin of the APC and the PDP in Edo State.”
While pleading with LP’s leaders to support his quest to emerge as the party’s candidate, the governorship aspirant said his many attempts to govern Edo State had been frustrated by political godfathers and enemies who are holding the state by its jugular.
Olumide Akpata:
Olumide Osaigbovo Akpata was a senior partner and the Head of the Corporate and Commercial Practice Group at Templar’s law firm until his resignation on August 31, 2023, to enable him to pursue partisan politics. He became the first non-Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 28 years to be elected president of the Nigerian Bar Association in July 2020.
Akpata who was born on October 7, 1972, joined the LP in March last year to realise his ambition of governing Edo State. He said he joined the party because he got tired of complaining about the happenings in Nigeria. He said: “I decided to take the plunge and try to be part of the solution, rather than agonising continually over the problem. This was a major step for me and not one that I took lightly.”
He hails from Edo South Senatorial District, like incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki. He has responded to the insinuation that his governorship aspiration was being sponsored by Obaseki. He said there is no truth in the rumour that the Edo governor would back him if his preferred candidate in the PDP lost the ticket.
Akpata also declared that those accusing him of trying to buy the LP ticket with cash, saying they are only displaying immaturity. He added: “That I am sponsored by Godwin Obaseki is an unfounded rumour. My relationship with the Edo governor has never been hidden.
“It is only politicians who do not know how to agree to disagree that quickly conclude that when two contenders sit together, they must belong to the same camp. In the old Bendel State, my father’s elder brother, Senator Olu Akpata, was in the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) in 1979; while his cousin, Tayo Akpata, was the Chairman of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in the same state. They usually have lunch and dinner together.
“The family I belong to are honourable people. Those who know the Akpata family in Benin know that we are honourable people. If I cannot go into politics on my own, and get the prize that I am looking for, I will stay at home.
“I am a successful lawyer. Politics is not my job. It is out of interest that we have come to the rescue of this state and Nigeria. I cannot be the hireling of anybody.”
Ogbemudia Bassey Osagie:
Ogbemudia Bassey Osagie is an Edo State-born Canadian police officer. Osagie who spoke with reporters in Benin City, recently said he is in the race to bring his wealth of experience abroad to assist in creating an enabling environment for industries to thrive. He said being an Edo son with experience of over 24 years in the Toronto police, he has what it takes to secure Edo and make sure investors are attracted to the Southsouth state.
He said: “I have had the privilege to serve the people of Toronto. That same ethical value, that accountability that transparency and that mindset that you need to do something good for your people are what I have brought to Edo State.
“What I am going to do as Edo State governor is to bring Toronto to Edo State; so that we can start to see progress. Our people need change. Our major priority is security. Without security, there cannot be a success. There cannot be economic development unless you have an efficient and effective law enforcement agency to keep people in check. These are my visions for Edo State.
“All our people that I consulted in the US, Canada and the UK claimed they could not come and set up their factories in Edo because the state is not secure. We have many of our people who own big pharmaceutical companies and others, but they said they could not come home, because our state is not secure.”
He lamented that many Edo indigenes, who had big companies in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, among others, were willing to come to the state to invest, but due to insecurity, they were scared of coming.
Osagie said it is the responsibility of the Edo people to develop the state because foreigners would not bother about it. He also promised to build the youths of the state by making sure they acquire modern technologies. He equally assured that he would fix all roads in the state and work towards providing electricity round the clock.
Dr. Dorry Okojie:
Dr Dorry Okojie, a real estate magnate, hails from Edo Central Senatorial District. He has assured LP faithful that he would focus on poverty eradication, in a manner that would be just, inclusive and tailored to mitigate mass poverty.
He said his government would prioritise the equitable distribution of wealth and resources and that it would also address systemic issues that perpetuate poverty. “This requires collaboration among stakeholders, especially governments, civil society organisations, and the private sector,” he added.
The youthful governorship aspirant said by promoting social justice and other inclusive policies, a society where every individual would have equal opportunities to thrive would be created.
He said: “Poverty is not an inevitable fate but a consequence of societal structural negligence and it is within our capacity to dismantle it. By taking meaningful action, we can create a world where poverty becomes a thing of the past. To alleviate poverty’s immediate impact, social safety nets and welfare programmes are essential.
“Edo people can elect an Edo son with the carriage, technical and managerial know-how, and the capacity to manage the human and natural resources that abound in the state. I have what it takes to turn Edo around to become an economic model in the comity of states in Nigeria.”
Okojie, who is popularly known as Mr. Capacity, also assured that he would certainly bring his enormous wealth of experience to bear in the administration of Edo State and get results for the residents.
Sergius Ogun:
Sergius Ogun is an indigene of Uromi in Esan Northeast Local Government Area, which is also in Edo Central. He is a lawyer-businessman-turned politician. He was elected in 2015 to the House of Representatives on the platform of the PDP to represent the Esan Northeast/Esan Southeast Federal Constituency but later defected to the LP.
The governorship aspirant said: “Together, we will build a prosperous and inclusive Edo State that fosters sustainable development and equitable opportunities for all.
We envision an Edo State where every citizen has access to quality education, affordable healthcare, security of lives and property, and a thriving economy that creates jobs and empowers entrepreneurs.
“We will prioritise infrastructure development that supports modern transportation, efficient energy, and resilient housing. Our administration will promote transparency, accountability, and good governance to ensure that the people’s voices are heard, and their needs are met. We will work collaboratively with all stakeholders, including traditional rulers, civil society organisations, and the private sector, to achieve our shared goals. Our vision is for Edo State to be a model of progress, prosperity, and peace in Nigeria.
“I am committed to promoting good governance, transparency, and accountability in all sectors of the state. Our administration will prioritise investment in education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, road construction and job creation to empower our citizens, reduce poverty, and enhance economic growth. We will work towards creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive and attract more investments into the state. We will also prioritise the security and safety of all citizens by partnering with law enforcement agencies and our local vigilante to ensure peace and stability in the state.
“My administration will be people-focused, and we will prioritise the welfare and interests of all Edo citizens, irrespective of political affiliations, ethnicity, or religion. Together, we will build a better Edo State.”
Ogun also stated that his passion for education, health care, wealth creation, and youth and women empowerment led to the creation of Sergius Oseasochie Ogun Foundation (SOOF) in 2007. He said the foundation has consistently been engaged in empowerment programmes every year and that in the past 10 years, over 50,000 people had benefitted.
Labour Party (LP) has defended selling the nomination and expression of interest forms for Edo governorship election for N30 million.
National Chairman, Julius Abure, said the party needs money to continue to operate.
However, criticisms have trailed the development, which some members have described as insensitive.
They said fixing such a high amount was ill-advised.
But Abure said the decision was taken by the National Working Committee.
He said: “The National Working Committee sat extensively, considered all the variables and put all the factors together before arriving at that amount.
“We must say that the party needs a lot of funds to drive the process of electioneering. Today, no matter how you conduct the primary election, funds are required, even after elections litigations are going to arise from whatever you do.
“Litigation costs a lot of money. Even organising the primary itself is expensive. When the party was not as big as this, you could explain to people that you had no money to give; but today people believe that the party has money and when you send anybody for any assignment you must pay them adequately.
“Today, in this part of Nigeria, the majority of members of political parties don’t pay dues. People hardly support political parties, and the only source of funding for the party, as it stands today, is through the sale of nomination forms.”
“Therefore, funding the party, responding to challenges in it and so on, make it imperative for us to arrive at that amount.”
“I want to say it is about the cheapest among political parties. We believe that we ought to draw attention to our philosophy of being a party for the downtrodden. With the reality on the ground, we looked at it and came to that conclusion.
“Again, the truth is elections are expensive in Nigeria. We believe that candidates who are not able to afford our nomination fee may not be able to conclude the process of election. Therefore, all of these factors put together are what resulted in the fee.”
Abure also said the party and some of its members have faced one challenge or another since the conduct of the 2023 general election.
He said his life has been under threat and that he has reported to the security agencies.
“The party and myself have faced challenges after the 2023 general election, in some places threat to life,” Abure said.
The national chairman assured aspirants that the party’s primary for Edo governorship poll will be free, fair and transparent.
He denied working with the Peoples Democratic Party to ensure the Labour Party fields a weak candidate for the election.
“Edo governorship primaries will be free, transparent and members of the party will decide who emerges as the candidate of the party.
“We have the opportunity to be able to produce the governor in Edo. It is my desire to see that we have a credible and intelligent governor next year,” he added.
