Julius Abure, the National Chairman of the Labour Party, has been suspended by his party in Ward 3, Arue-Uromi, located in Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo State.
The suspension comes amid accusations of high-handedness and anti-party activities.
The formal suspension was documented in a letter dated May 14, 2024, and ratified in another letter dated May 15, 2024. These actions were confirmed during a state executive committee meeting held in Benin on Friday night, indicating that the suspension took immediate effect.
The suspension letter, signed by Ward Chairman Thompson Ehiguese and Ward Secretary Stanley Usiomoh, advised Abure to stop presenting himself as a member of the Labour Party.
The ratification of his suspension was communicated to the State Executive Committee by the Local Government Chairman of the party in Esan North-East, Patrick Onogbeni, and LG Secretary, Ehikioya Eromosele.
The ratification letter stated, “Here forwarded to you and for your consideration is the ratification of the suspension of Julius Abure from the membership of Ward 3, Arue, Uromi, Esan North-East LGA, Edo State.
The LGA Executive met on the 15th of May, 2024, about noon, to consider the matters presented on the suspension and accordingly found them weighty and the suspension ratified and upheld.”
The State Executive Committee, led by Kelly Ogbaloi, endorsed the decisions made by both the ward and local government committees. During the meeting, party leaders and members expressed their dissatisfaction by chanting, “Abure must go!”
After reviewing the letters and the issues outlined, the State Executive Committee confirmed Abure’s suspension, reflecting a significant shift in the Labour Party’s leadership dynamics.