Edo LP ward suspends Abure for ‘anti-party activities’

The Labour Party (LP) executive council in Arue ward 3, Esan north-east LGA of Edo has suspended Julius Abure, national chair of the party.

Abure was suspended for alleged anti-party activities.

Addressing a press conference in Benin on Friday, Patrick Onogbenin, chair of the Esan north-east LGA, said the decision was reached after “rigorous deliberation by members of the ward”.

“The state executive council is extremely reluctant to ordinarily adopt this kind of situation but I must tell you that tonight we are very constrained and have no options whatsoever at our disposal to refuse this presentation,” he said.

“This is more so when it is indeed coming from the very ward where Barrister Julius Abure originates.

“We therefore find no iota of evidence that has the capacity to prohibit us from agreeing to ratify the suspension.

“On behalf of the state executive committee, we have the suspension ratified.

“Please take notice that you have been suspended from the membership of Ward 3, Arue, Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government, Edo State.

“This decision was reached after a rigorous deliberation by members of the ward in consideration of your high-handedness, anti-party activities in the administration of the party and other myriads of allegations of fraud leveled against you which are currently under investigation.”

In April 2023, the FCT high court issued an order restraining Abure from parading himself as the national chair of the LP.

While ruling on an ex parte application, Hamza Muazu, the presiding judge, also restrained Farouk Ibrahim, national secretary; Clement Ojukwu, national organising secretary; and Oluchi Opara, treasurer; from parading themselves as national officers of the party.

The plaintiffs in the suit marked: CV/2930/2023 were Martins John, Lucky Shaibu, Isah Zekeri, Omogbai Frank, Abokhaiu Aliu, Ayohkaire Lateef, Job Elomah, and Abayomi Arabambi.

Abure was recently re-elected in a controversial convention.