National Chairman of the Labour Party, Barr Julius Abure, has been suspended from the membership of the party in Ward 3 in Arue-Uromi, in Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo State for alleged “high-handedness and anti-party activities”.
Abure’s suspension was sequel to a rigorous deliberation by members of the ward who cited his “high-handedness and anti-party activities in the administration of the party and other myriads of allegations of fraud leveled against you, which are (currently) under investigation.”
A letter of suspension dated May 14, 2024, and another letter of ratification dated May 15, 2024, both of which were ratified at a meeting of the state executive committee on Friday (May 24, 2024) night in Benin, stated that “while the suspension is with immediate effect, you are advised to restrain from holding out or parading yourself as a member of Labour p[arty, Ward 3, Arue, Uromi in Ean North-East LGA, Edo State.”
The letter of suspension was signed by the Ward Chairman, Thompson Ehiguese and Ward Secretary, Stanley Usiomoh.
The letter of ratification of his suspension, was forwarded to the State Executive Committee of the party through the State Chairman by the Local Government Chairman of the party in Esan North-East, Patrick Onogbeni and LGA Secretary, Ehikioya Eromosele.
The letter reads: “Here forwarded to you and for your consideration is the ratification of the suspension of Comrade Barrister Julius Abure from the membership of Ward 3, Arue, Uromi, Esan North East LGA, Edo State.
“The LGA Executive met today, 15th of May, 2024 about 12 noon, to consider the matters presented on the suspension and accordingly found them weighty and the suspension ratified and upheld.”
The State Executive Committee endorsed the decisions of the Ward and Local Government Committee of the party at a well-attended meeting on Friday night in Benin.
The venue of the meeting was charged as leaders and members of the party chanted: “Abure must go!”
The State Executive Committee considered the letters, together with the issues contained therein, and ratified Abure’s suspension.
With the ratification of his suspension, the basis of his chairmanship of the party at the national level has been vitiated, and by implication, he stands suspended as the party’s national chairman.
