Edo 2024: Labour Party Embroiled In Crisis As Youth Group Takes Over Leadership In Benin

By Osariemen Idiaghe

In the build up to the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, the leadership crisis rocking the Edo State Labour Party has taken a new dimension as a youth group took over the party’s activities in Benin City on Thursday.

A three-man caretaker committee, led by the party’s former Youth Leader Mr Ken Omusi, announced the takeover.

They, however, cited corruption allegations, high-handedness against the incumbent leadership as the reason for the takeover.

The group dissolved the existing leadership and assumed control of the party.

But in a swift response, the embattled state Chairman, Mr Kelly Ogbaloi, in a telephone interview described the action as illegal and said he remains the substantive chairman of the party.

He also opined that Ken Omusi and his cohorts have no legal rights to remove a state working committee. “I remain the substantive chairman of labour party in Edo State, no part of the party has been dissolved. The group you mentioned have no legal rights or backing to dissolve any executive of a state council.”

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The development deepens the crisis within the party, which is struggling to maintain unity ahead of the crucial governorship election. The youth group’s move has sparked concerns about the party’s chances in the
upcoming polls.

Ken Omusi, the new Chairman of the Caretaker Committee, alleged that the former leadership was corrupt and had to be removed to save the party.

However, Kelly Ogbailoi and his supporters are likely to resist the takeover, setting the stage for a protracted leadership battle.