Edo gubernatorial election: LP faces further challenges as two executive committees emerge

By: Nwakaji Peace Martins

The ongoing crisis within the Edo State Labour Party, LP, appears to have no resolution in sight, as the National Leadership established a 17-member interim committee to manage the party’s affairs in the state.
The committee, under the leadership of Elizabeth Ativie, a former speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, was inaugurated by Dr. Ayo Olorunfemi, the Deputy National Chairman of the party, at a hotel in Benin City. Ativie, who also contested for a seat in the House of Representatives in the 2023 general elections amidst controversy, was chosen to lead the committee due to her successful track record in previous political roles.

Dr. Olorunfemi explained that the new leadership in Edo State was necessitated by the conclusion of the term of the previous executive council led by Kelly Ogbaloi in April 2024. The committee is expected to manage the party until a new executive is elected through a fresh congress in the state.
In her response, Ativie pledged to elevate the party to greater heights in the state and work towards reconciling all members. She assured that a reconciliation team would be established to address any outstanding issues within the party.

However, Samson Uroupa, the Edo Publicity Secretary of the LP, expressed concerns that the dissolution of the state executive committee was not in the best interest of the majority of party members in the state. He emphasized that the decision could lead to further internal strife within the party, hindering its electoral ambitions in Edo.
It is worth noting that the State chapter of the party, led by Kelly Ogbaloi, recently supported the suspension of the Labour Party National Chairman, Mr. Julius Abure.