BSM Calls For Resignation of LP National/State Chairmen Over Abuse Of Office

…Replacement of Non Party Member with duly elected House of Reps member will be highly resisted

 

By The9JaTREND

The Benin Solidarity Movement, ( BSM), a non-governmental, apolitical and socio cultural group with headquarters in Edo Satate has called for the resignation of the National Chairman, Barr. Julius Abure and Edo State Chairman, Comrade Lucky Ogbaloi of Labour Party (LP), over what the group called “Abuse of Office” by imposition Hon. Elizabeth Ativie, former speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly against Hon. Murphy Imasuen  who was duly elected during the substitution primaries, held in Abudu on the 13^th day of July, 2022.

It would be recalled that Hon. Murphy Imasuen was duly given the ticket to run for Orihionmwon/Uhunmwode federal constituency during the substitution primaries, held in Abudu on the 13th, of July, 2022.

The group in a press statement signed by the President-General, Ambassador Curtis Eghosa Ugbo and Secretary, Esohe Adun condemned the decision of the Labour Party National President and the Edo State Chairman, to steal Hon. Murphy Imasuen’s candidacy of the party who emerged victorious during the substitution primaries held in Abuja on the 13^th of July, 2022.

According to Comrade Curtis Eghosa, President of the group and also  a bona-fide member and card carrying member of party, make bold to say that “we do not recognize Hon. Ativie yet as a member of the Labour Party in Edo State chapter talk more of being the House of Representatives candidate for Orihionmwon/Uhunmwode federal constituency. This is laughable, and a mere propaganda.

"We will not allow or tolerate any attempt made by Hon. Elizabelth Ativie to repeat her fraudulent act in Labour Party, as seen in the press statement signed by the APC State Publicity Secretary; Barr. Peter Igbinigie, which reads, in the primary for the Orihionmwon/Uhunmwode federal constituency, Hon Elizabelth Ativie participated, and came a distant third and last in the same election, ably won by Dr. Billy Osawaru."

Part of the statement signed by the APC State Publicity Secretary; Barr. Peter Igbinigie reads, "Our party was thrown into political consternation and aghast, when it was discovered that sooner than the result of the APC primary was released. Hon. Ativie in connivance with her political co-travellers futilely attempted to change the submitted name of Billy Osawaru duly recognized by our party and INEC that monitored the primary with her name.

"An act that is not only an electoral fraud, which is an infraction on the party Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022 and the Constitution of the federal Republic of Nigeria1999 as amended, but also a desperate and calculated attempt to bring our chapter of the party to disrepute.

 

"Upon the discovery of this humongous, disturbing and embarrassing acts, which would have earned her a disgraceful political cum criminal trial with its attendance consequences. She quickly embarked on this more destructive political adventure. We boldly say without fear or favour, we will not accept any other candidate except the candidate who participated in the process and guidelines recognized by INEC," he alleged.

With the above submission, the Benin Solidarity Movement, (BSM) opined that the group will resist any attempt to substitute Hon. Murphy Imasuen who was duly given the ticket to run for Orihionmwon/Uhunmwode federal constituency during the substitution primaries, held in Abudu on the 13th, of July 2022 with Hon. Elizabeth Ativie who is not even a card carrying member of labour party, both in the state, local government and at ward levels.

“Any attempt to replace Hon. Imasuen’s name with  Hon. Elizabeth Ativie will be vehemently resisted. You cannot rob Peter to pay Paul.

“Is this how Labour Party wants to change Nigeria? This is not the dream of the national leadership of the party.

“We therefore call on the Presidential Candidate of the party, Mr. Peter Obi, as a matter of urgency do the needful to the rescue of Labour Party from those who do not mean well for Nigerians. This is not the dream of Peter Obi who is well respected by all Nigerians. Enough is enough. The National Chairman, Barr. Julius Abure and Edo State chairman, Comrade Lucky Ogbaloi must resign their positions and give way to credible personalities who can pilot the affairs of the party both at the national and state levels.

“It is therefore  unacceptable for a well-organized Labour Party primary in Edo State duly monitored by INEC and at the end of the process, Hon. Murphy Imasuen emerged winner to represent Orhionmwon/Uhunmwonde federal constituency in the forthcoming 2023 election. Labour Party is not party with highest bidder. It is not done, we will resist this abnormally. We will take the national chairman and state chairman of the party to court if they refuse to do the needful and obey the decision of the good people of Orhionmwon/Uhunmwonde local government areas of Edo State,” the group warned.

The group therefore urged Hon. Elizabeth Ativie to desist from the barbaric act, which the group described would destroy the labour party in Nigeria and Edo state in particular. The group warned the former speaker of the Edo state House of Assembly to stop parading herself as the candidate of labour party.