A former governorship aspirant of the Labour Party in Edo State, Barrister Kenneth Imansuangbon, has resigned his membership of the party.
Imansuangbon, who contested the Labour party governorship ticket ahead of the 2024 election, declared his departure from the party in a letter addressed to the party’s national chairman, Julius Abure, and copied his ward 2 chairman in Ewohimi, Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State.
In his letter, Imansuangbon, an educationist nicknamed the ‘riceman’ due to his free annual rice distribution across the state, was a former member of the APC and PDP.
Citing reasons for his resignation, he said he can no longer belong to LP because it has continued to be bugged down by intractable division and lack of internal democracy.
He explained that the party has deviated from its core values and principles and can no longer offer a purposeful and credible alternative to the Nigerian people.
He said those incharge of the party ran the party like a ‘commercial entity’ adding that the development in the party clearly shows that the LP cannot be said to be the party that truly represents the interest of the “mama, papa, pikin” slogan.
He said the time has come for him to disassociate himself from the confusion and high-headedness of those in charge.
In a press release he personally signed and made available to newsmen also accused the party of imposition and clear disregard for party rules and regulations.
“Having consulted widely among my teaming supporters across the state it is only expedient for me and my followers to resign from the party.
“It is quite clear that the LP has not learnt any lesson and very obvious that it is not ready to enthrone purposeful leadership at all level. What we have witnessed in the party is intra-party squabble and power struggle creating a toxic environment making it difficult for members to remain committed to the party.
“What we have witnessed as far as am concern is poor Leadership and ineffective management, lack of vision and autocratic decision making. If you take a critical look at the party today you discovered that many notable leaders who founded the party has left the political party.”
Recall that Imansuangbon lost the governorship ticket of the LP to former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Olumide Akpata in the build up to the 2024 governorship election in which the party came distant third.
