TheCable

Anslem Eragbe, the suspended national youth leader of the Labour Party (LP), says the allegations of fraud against him have not been substantiated.

In October 2022, the party suspended Eragbe for six months over alleged misconduct.

In April 2023, the party said Eragbe was “heavily compromised” and could not work in the interest of the LP, and can no longer speak on its behalf.

Speaking with TheCable on Sunday, Eragbe said he would take legal action against Julius Abure, the national chairman of LP, and other members over his suspension.

Eragbe said only the national executive committee (NEC) of the party has the power 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.”

‘PETER OBI SILENT ON MY ATTACK IN BENIN’

Eragbe also tackled Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the LP in the 2023 elections, for remaining silent over an alleged attempted murder of 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 said Obi was “quick to make comments” when Abure was 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.”