The Edo State Labor Party has downplayed the resignation of former gubernatorial candidate Kenneth Imasagbon, saying he is not a committed member of the party.
Mr. Imasu-Agbon submitted his resignation in a letter addressed to the party’s national chairman, Mr. Julius Abre, with a copy sent to the ward 2 chairman of Ewohimi, Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State.
In the letter, former members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) criticized the Labor Party, citing its internal challenges.
However, in an exclusive interview with Punch, Edo State Labor Party Publicity Secretary Sam Uruopa dismissed Imasu-Agbon’s resignation, insisting that it would not affect the party.
“We are not surprised that he left the party. He came for the governorship ticket but it didn’t work out. Our advice is for all true party members to stay here and build the party,” Uluopa said. That’s it.”
Imansu-Agbon lost the LP’s gubernatorial ticket to Olumide Akpata, former president of the Nigerian Bar Association, in the run-up to the 2024 gubernatorial election, leaving the party in a distant third place.
Mr. Imasu-Agbon was not satisfied with the conduct of the primary election that produced Mr. Akpata and took the matter to court. Still, his appeal was rejected by the Federal High Court and Court of Appeal in Benin, Edo State.
Commenting on his withdrawal from the LP, Imasu-Agbon said the party has strayed from its core values and principles and can no longer offer Nigerians a purposeful and credible alternative.
He said party leaders had been running the party like a “commercial organization” and the developments showed that the LP could not truly represent the interests of the “Mom, Dad, Paikin slogan”. He added that it was shown.
He said that as Nigerians and Edo State citizens who over the past 25 years have contributed to developing a generation of leaders and helped the poor through philanthropy, it is time to distance ourselves from the chaos and tyranny of our people. . person in charge of the party.
He also accused the party of imposing or ignoring party rules and regulations.
“I am using this medium to announce my resignation from the Labor Party. After extensive consultation with my teaming supporters across the state, it is expedient for me and my supporters to take this decision. It’s just that.
“It is clear that the LP has not learned any lessons and is clearly not prepared to establish purposeful leadership at all levels.
“Intra-party conflicts and power struggles have created a toxic environment, making it difficult for party members to maintain their commitment to the party.
“As far as I am concerned, what we have witnessed is poor leadership, ineffective management, lack of vision and autocratic decision-making.
“If you take a critical look at the party today, you will see that many prominent leaders who founded the LP have left the party,” he said.
