Anslem Eragbe, the suspended national youth leader of the Labour Party (LP), claims that the accusations of fraud against him have not been proven.
In October 2022, Eragbe was suspended by the party for six months due to alleged misconduct.
By April 2023, the party stated that Eragbe was “heavily compromised,” could no longer act in the best interests of the LP, and was prohibited from representing the party.
During an interview with TheCable on Sunday, Eragbe mentioned that he plans to take legal action against Julius Abure, the national chairman of LP, and other members regarding his suspension.
Eragbe clarified that only the national executive committee (NEC) of the party has the authority to suspend him, not the national working committee (NWC).
“Eragbe Anslem remains the only national youth leader of the Labour Party. I have always been the national youth leader of the party until the next election. Abure and anybody have no powers under the law or constitution of the LP to unilaterally suspend any member of the NWC. Anyone laying claim to my office is going to face the law very soon” he said.
“As the national youth leader of the Labour Party, I put in place all the media structures for him. I pointed to him what he needed to do before, during and after the election. That was the reason Abure conspired against me.
“Now, what did I get for all the support that I gave to him? I have challenged Abure to come out and prove the allegations of fraud against me but to date, they have not been able to substantiate their false claims.”
Eragbe criticized Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the LP in the 2023 elections, for not speaking out about an alleged attempted murder on his life in Benin City in December.
“I am not surprised that Peter Obi did not speak on the attack on my life. I couldn’t have been surprised because when Abure illegally orchestrated my suspension as the national youth leader, Obi never said a word,” Eragbe said.
“Since 29th of December till date, I have not seen anywhere Peter Obi made a statement concerning my attack. If he did, at least, someone of my calibre, I should have seen it or someone should have sent it to me.”
He mentioned that Obi was quick to comment when Abure was being manhandled by security operatives.
“He (Obi) spoke on that and everybody saw it but he never spoke about my life. I don’t have anything personal against him but if you want to be a leader, be a leader. As a leader, you have to treat everyone with equity and fairness without taking sides,” Eragbe said.
“Is Abure’s arrest by the Nigerian Police more important than my life? I didn’t know Peter Obi from nowhere until he came to LP yet I gave him all the support he needed. I was one of those who made it possible for him to get the ticket of Labour Party.”
