The documents indicate that Abure was suspended by his local party branch in Ward 3, Arue-Uromi, located in the Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo State. The suspension is attributed to accusations of high-handedness and anti-party activities, along with several allegations of fraud currently under investigation.
The letters instruct Abure to cease representing himself as a member of the Labour Party in Ward 3, Arue, Uromi.
The suspension notice was signed by the Ward Chairman, Thompson Ehiguese, and the Ward Secretary, Stanley Usiomoh.
Furthermore, the suspension was ratified by the Local Government Chairman of the party in Esan North-East, Patrick Onogbeni, and the LGA Secretary, Ehikioya Eromosele, who forwarded the ratification to the State Executive Committee.
The ratification letter from the local government officials, dated May 15, 2024, stated that the LGA Executive met at noon to deliberate on the suspension and found the allegations significant, thereby upholding and ratifying the suspension.
The state executive committee reviewed the letters and the issues raised, and concurred with the suspension. Consequently, Abure’s position as National Chairman has been undermined, implying his suspension from the national role.
However, in response, the LP’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, asserted that the actions taken against Abure are invalid according to the LP Constitution.
Ifoh pointed out that Article 17, subsection 1 of the 2019 Labour Party constitution specifies that only the National Convention, convened specifically for the purpose with a two-thirds majority, can suspend or remove the National Chairman.
He added that neither the ward, local government, nor state levels have the authority to suspend the National Chairman. Ifoh also noted that an Edo High Court and an Appeal Court have previously ruled on this matter, reinforcing that the suspension holds no legal standing.
Ifoh attributed the recent suspension to ongoing personal attacks against Abure, particularly observed during the party’s governorship primaries.
He dismissed the suspension as inconsequential, emphasizing that the party is not concerned by these actions.
