Edo State’s Labour Party has vehemently refuted any connection to the physical assault on former National Youth Leader, Anslem Eragbe, within the state.
Reports surfaced that Eragbe and an individual suspected to be affiliated with the Lamidi Apapa’s faction of the LP were apprehended by party supporters in Edo. This occurred as a result of their alleged intentions to conduct a primary election for LP candidates before the 2024 governorship election.
In a widely circulated video in Benin, supporters of the party were seen physically assaulting the two suspects for their purported covert agenda.
The party’s State Publicity Secretary, Sam Uroupa, denounced the suspects as imposters intent on causing disarray within the party.
On Sunday, the party issued a statement denying any involvement in the incident. According to the State Publicity Secretary, Sam Uroupa, the party upholds the law and would not partake in such activities.
The statement read, “The Edo State Labour Party (LP) has been made aware of a circulating video in the media showing the assault on former National Youth Leader, Anslem Eragbe, and others who have been expelled from the party, by a group of individuals in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
“One Mr. Abayomi Arabambi has alleged that the Edo State LP members, led by the State Publicity Secretary, Comrade Sam Uroupa, were responsible for the attack, and has also implicated an aspirant, Barr. Olumide Akpata.
“We wish to emphasize that the Edo State LP, under the leadership of its Chairman, distinguished Comr. Kelly Ogbaloi, had no involvement in or knowledge of the attack, as its members are law-abiding citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who denounce any form of violence.
“Olumide Akpata, along with other aspirants vying for the Edo 2024 governorship race, is not part of any leadership dispute within the party hierarchy and thus were not implicated in the reported attack.
“Regarding the alleged factional leadership within the LP, as claimed by Mr. Abayomi, we in Edo have resolved that issue, following the Supreme Court’s decision confirming Barr. Julius Abure as the authentic National Chairman of the Party.
“The former National Youth Leader and his associates were allegedly sponsored by the APC as infiltrators to destabilize the LP. Since they failed in their mission, individuals may have been sent to reclaim any funds provided. Therefore, connecting his ordeal to Edo State LP members is entirely untrue and unfounded”.
