Politics

Edo Guber: LP Chair, Abure Speaks On Alleged Imposition, As US-based Businessman Joins Race

Published

2 years ago

July 15, 2023

The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, has vowed not to impose any candidate on the teeming supporters of the party and people of Edo ahead of next year’s governorship election in the state.

Abure made the pledge when he received a delegation led by United States-based businessman, Stephen Osemwegie, who visited the party headquarters in Abuja on Friday to officially indicate interest in joining the governorship race on the platform of LP.

While addressing the audience, the national chairman stated that he has no intention of taking sidess or anointing a candidate.

This was even as he promised to give a level playing field to every aspirant ahead of the party’s primary, which date has yet to be announced.

He said, “We are going to ensure a level playing field for all aspirants. There will be equal treatment in the primaries, which will be a competitive one. As national chairman of the party, though I hail from Edo state, I want to state here categorically that I will not have an anointed candidate.

“As I said, I will not impose any aspirant or candidate on party members. It is the delegates and party members in Edo that will determine who becomes the flag bearer in the state. I therefore want to reassure my own brother who has come to indicate his interest today that he will have a level playing field.

“We are going to look for the best among party members. Then we will pool our resources, energy, and efforts together to ensure that the person we choose performs. The purpose of doing that is to ensure that at every point in time when he derails, we will be able to hold him accountable.”

The lawyer-turned-politician, however, counseled the governorship aspirant to go back to the grassroots and reach out to stakeholders at the unit, ward, and state levels in Edo State.

According to him, politics is played at the local level and not at the centre as many naive politicians often think.

Abure, who lamented that the state has always been blessed with leaders who had no genuine interest in the people, expressed optimism that his party will change the narrative after clinching the seat at the 2024 governorship poll.

“There is no doubt that we have been unfortunate to produce leaders who have not worked for the Edo people. I said so because if you take a cursory look at our history, even during military government in Nigeria, Edo has been unfortunate to get administrators who were not from that place. We have seen over the years that both the APC and PDP lack internal democracy.

“We have strategically positioned the party to be the one that will rescue Edo State. It is not by accident. It is by design. Only a Labour Party government in the state will be able to reposition Edo for greatness and restore the past glory that it was known for. We have started the walk and believe strongly that with the right candidate, personnel, and strategy, we will be able to reclaim the state on the path of growth and development.

“I have no doubt in my mind that Edo people will do the right thing. When a PDP government did not perform before 2006, the Edo people rose to the occasion and change the government. This is another time for change and I am confident it is the turn of the Labour Party. LP has always believed that when the process used in selecting candidates is faulty; it can never produce good leaders,” he said.

Reacting to the warm welcome, Osemwegie promised not to disappoint the party and the people of Edo State.

The United States-based businessman affirmed that the problem of governance at both the state and federal levels boils down to the failure of leaders to do the right thing.

“I think the problem we have in Nigeria, as Chinua Achebe said, is failing leadership. We have a situation in our country where we have resources without potential. We are still lagging in every metric. In Edo where I hail from, we have about eight million people but the unemployment level is appalling.

“I will talk more about some of these issues as we go on with our campaign. I have come up with a new direction and a new vision. Whatever we were doing before has not worked. You cannot continue doing the same thing and expect a different result. It is time for us to do something different, especially through the Labour Party. I have come to notice that what we lack over the years has been honesty, integrity, transparency, and an attitude of compassion for the people

“Today, I have come to pay a courtesy visit to the chairman and members of the National Working Committee of the party. I have been a very active member of the Diaspora support group of the Labour Party, especially in New York, where we ensure people turn up with their votes and vote right,” he said.
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Related Topics:#Edo governorship Julius Abure Labour Party

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Politics

Twist In Edo PDP Crisis As Faction Elects State Executives

Published

18 hours ago

October 5, 2025

Editor

The crisis rocking Edo State chapter Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) reignited on Sunday as a faction loyal to the party National Vice Chairman, South -South elected Nosa Ogieva as the state chairman of the party.

Ogieva, who was sworn in alongside other 13 members of the executive promised to reunite the party, and that PDP would soon begin to win elections again in the state.

Recall that a faction loyal to the Umar Damagum-led national secretariat of the PDP held its congress on September 27, 2925 where Dr. Tony Aziegbemi emerged as the state chairman of the PDP.

Earlier in his opening remarks, Orbih said former governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki was responsible for the crisis in the party.

Obaseki, who said Obaseki quarreled with everybody he met in the party, added that the poor performance of the party in the recently conducted by-elections showed how unpopular the party had become.

Orbih carpeted an earlier statement issued by the other faction of the party where they called on members to disregard the announcement for the State Congress.

He said: “Just yesterday (Saturday), I saw a statement issued by some funny characters saying they are advising party members not to attend this event. Are you not here?

“Those who don’t have any moral authority to speak on behalf of the party should keep their mouth shut.

Politics

2027: Senator Imasuen Visits His Ward, Seeks Support For Tinubu

Published

20 hours ago

October 5, 2025

Editor

The All Progressives Congress (APC) family in Ward 5, Umagbai, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area of Edo State, on Saturday, rolled out the drums as Senator Neda Imasuen, representing Edo South, visited for an interactive session with party faithful at the grassroots level to mobilise support for President Tinubu ahead of 2027 general elections.

The interactive session, which drew chieftains, ward chairmen and party faithful from the 22 units in the ward, was marked by jubilation and reaffirmed the party’s strength in the district.

Speaking at the gathering, Senator Imasuen expressed gratitude for the warm reception, stressing the need to build bridges with his local base.

He noted that while he joined the APC at the State level on June 12, it was crucial to identify with his ward because “politics is local.”

“It was very imperative that I come to my ward, not only to officially inform them of my joining the party since June 12, but also to meet the ward executives,” the lawmaker said.

“This move will strengthen the party, promote unity and ensure victory at the polls.”

Imasuen lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as “bold and courageous” economic reforms, adding that such steps were necessary to turn the nation’s fortunes around.

He also echoed the Edo State governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo’s pledge to deliver 2.5 million votes to Tinubu in 2027, declaring the target a “done deal.”

“By the grace of God, Asiwaju 2027 is settled. Part of that settlement is to begin to work towards that goal from the grassroots,” he added.

APC leaders in the local government hailed the senator for the move to galvanize support for the president ahead of 2027, pledging their support for the movement.

The All Progressive Congress, LGA Chairman, Osayimwenre Osawe, described him as “an asset” whose presence as a federal lawmaker would bring democratic dividends to Uhunmwonde.

“He is not a liability. He came to add value. Being a senator of the Federal Republic is a plus to our party. Beyond development, his return for a second term would make him a ranking senator, and that will position him for more influence on the Senate floor,” Osawe declared.

Also speaking, Acting Council Chairman, Augustine Imafidon Uhuonde, pledged unwavering support for the senator, praising his performance in facilitating projects in the senatorial district.

“Even watching him from the other side, he made us proud. Today, he has come down to the ward level to join hands with us. That shows he is ‘grass-rooted’ and truly the man of the people,” Uhuonde said.

Prominent party figures at the event included Festus Aimierovbiye, Chairman APC Ward 5; former Edo State Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Orobosa Omo-Ojo; Hon. Derick Uhunmwagho, Liaison Officer and Chief of Staff to the senator; Iziegbe Gabriel, LGA Coordinator; and Ese Edegbe, Ward 5 Assistant Coordinator.

Politics

Court Declines Kachikwu’s Motion Against INEC, ADC Leaders

Published

3 days ago

October 3, 2025

Editor

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday declined to hear an application filed by the African Democratic Congress’ 2023 presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, against the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the party.

Justice James Omotosho, in a ruling, refused to entertain the motion.

Kachikwu, through his counsel, Dayo Akinlaja (SAN), had sought an order compelling INEC to withdraw the publication of Mark and Rauf Aregbesola’s names as national chairman and secretary of the ADC, pending the determination of the substantive suit.

INEC had recently recognised Mark, a former Senate President, and Aregbesola, a former Governor of Osun State, as the party’s national chairman and national secretary.

On July 7, Kachikwu and four others – Adikwu Elias, Etimbuk Umoh, Muhammed Khala, and Alaku Godwin William – filed an originating summons challenging the recognition of the duo.

The suit lists INEC, ADC, Chief Ralph Nwosu, Mark, and Aregbesola as the first to fifth defendants.

When the matter was called on Friday, Akinlaja told the court that a motion dated September 19 had been filed. He argued that despite the pendency of the suit, INEC went ahead to recognise Mark and Aregbesola as party leaders.

The plaintiffs asked the court to set aside the recognition and publication of their names, describing it as a breach of the doctrine of lis pendens. They also sought an injunction restraining Nwosu, Mark, and Aregbesola from further relating with INEC as ADC’s national officers.

However, counsel for the ADC, Shaibu Aruwa (SAN), along with other defence lawyers, opposed the application.

After hearing arguments, Justice Omotosho declined to entertain the motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1331/2025.

He said, “This court is not inclined to nullify anything at this stage, whether done before or now. This is a political case. I am not taking any interlocutory matter.”

The judge held that all processes filed by the parties, including preliminary objections, would be taken together with the substantive case.

Despite repeated pleas by Akinlaja for the motion to be heard, the court stood its ground.

Justice Omotosho also granted an application for joinder filed by Nkemakolam Ukandu, the ADC deputy national secretary, and ordered that his name be added as a defendant.

He directed the plaintiffs to file the amended processes within 48 working hours and gave the defence seven days to respond. The case was adjourned till October 23 for hearing.