Members of the Edo State chapter of the Labour Party clashed with alleged hired thugs at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja yesterday.
LEADERSHIP reports that the clash began when the thugs stormed the secretariat to stop a protest, supporting the recent suspension of the party’s national chairman, Julius Abure, by his ward in Edo State.
Labour Party executives, in Abure’s ward 3, Arue, Uromi, Esan North East LGA, in Edo State, announced his suspension from the party on May 4, 2024, a claim that was subsequently dismissed by the national leadership of the party.
Undeterred however, the LP party executives from Edo State arrived Abuja yesterday and moved to submit the letter of suspension. They were also to visit the INEC headquarters to inform the electoral body that Abure is no longer their member.
But while protesting at the party’s headquarters in Abuja, thugs invaded the office premises and chased them away.
The thugs, after preventing the Edo LP members from entering the party secretariat, also moved towards the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Abuja chapter which is close to the party secretariat.
Meanwhile, Police personnel were stationed at the party secretariat, while the clash played out.
However, the party officials, who came from Edo, remobilised their members and returned to the secretariat, chanting anti-Abure’s songs.
One of the Labour Party leader from Edo State, Hon Jeff Scott, told LEADERSHIP that they came to stage a peaceful demonstration at the party’ national secretariat and convey official notification of Abure’s suspension from his ward and local government area, to the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, “only to be attacked.”
He added that Abure’s suspension as contained in a letter signed by the state chairman, Comrade Kelly Ogbaloi and Secretary, Comrade Akhere Frederick, stands.
The letter with reference number LP/ESO/LP.NEC/2024 – 351, dated 24 May, 2024 and addressed to the National Executive Council with a particular attention to Comrade Clement Ojukwu, the group said allegations against Abure are weighty and should not be overlooked.
“Here forwarded to you and for your notification, the ratification of the suspension of Comr Barr. Julius Abure from the membership of Ward 3, Arue, Uromi, Esan North East LGA. Edo State.
“The State Executive Council, Labour Party, Edo State, comprising the State Working Committee, the 18 Local Government Chairmen and the 18 Local Government Secretaries met on the 24″ of May, 2024, at about 11:00pm, to consider the matters presented on the suspension of Comr. Barr. Julius Abure by his Ward in Arue, Uromi, Esan North East LGA, and the upholding of the suspension by the LGA Excos.
“After clinical analysis of the accusation, the Council found them weighty and further ratified and upheld the suspension,” the state chairman, Ogbaloi said.
