The ongoing crisis within the Edo State Labour Party (LP) persists as the National Leadership appointed a 17-member caretaker committee to manage the party’s affairs in the state. The committee is led by former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Elizabeth Ativie, who was also a House of Representatives candidate in the controversial 2023 general elections.
The Deputy National Chairman of the party, Dr. Ayo Olorunfemi, inaugurated the committee at a hotel in Benin City. During the inauguration, Dr. Olorunfemi explained that the new leadership was necessary due to the expiration of the Kelly Ogbaloi-led executive council’s tenure in April 2024. He stated that the committee would manage the party’s affairs until a new executive is elected through a congress.
Dr. Olorunfemi highlighted Ativie’s appointment as chairperson, citing her positive and result-oriented track record in previous political roles. He called for unity within the party and assured that Ativie’s leadership would bring greater cohesion to the Edo State chapter.
In her response, Ativie pledged to elevate the party’s status in the state and reconcile all aggrieved members. She promised to form a reconciliation team to address outstanding issues within the party.
However, the Edo State Labour Party Publicity Secretary, Samson Uroupa, voiced opposition to the caretaker committee. Speaking by phone, Uroupa stated that the decision did not reflect the majority’s interests and maintained that the current state executive committee remained intact. He argued that dissolving the state executive would exacerbate the party’s internal conflicts, hindering its electoral prospects in Edo State.
This development follows the recent endorsement by the Edo State chapter, led by Kelly Ogbaloi, of the suspension of Labour Party National Chairman, Julius Abure.
