The Labour Party in Edo State, on Wednesday, said it was not surprised by the exit of its former governorship aspirant, Kenneth Imasuagbon, from the party, saying he was not a committed party man.
Imasuagbon resigned his membership of the Labour Party via a letter addressed to the party’s National Chairman, Julius Abure, a copy of which was sent to his Ward 2 chairman in Ewohimi, in the Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State.
Imasuagbon, a former member of the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party, said he could no longer belong to a party bugged down by intractable division and lack of internal democracy.
But reacting to the development in an interview with The PUNCH, LP’s Publicity Secretary, Sam Uruopa, said the party was unmoved by Imasuagbon’s decision to quit the party.
“We are not surprised that he left the party. He came in search of the governorship ticket but it didn’t work. The advice is for all genuine party men to stay behind and build the party,” Uruopa said.
Imansuagbon lost the governorship ticket of the LP to a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Olumide Akpata, in the build-up to the 2024 governorship election in which the party came a distant third.
Not satisfied with the conduct of the primary election that produced Akpata, Imasuagbon took the matter to court but his case was dismissed both at the Federal High Court sitting in Benin, Edo State and at the Appeal Court.
Speaking on his exit from the LP, Imasuagbon said the party had deviated from its core value and principle and could no longer offer a purposeful and credible alternative to the Nigerian people.
He said those in charge of the party ran it like a “commercial entity,” adding that the development clearly showed that the LP could not truly represent the interest of the “mama, papa, pikin slogan.”
He said as a Nigerian and Edo State citizen who has contributed to building a generation of leaders over the last 25 years and helped the needy through his philanthropic activities, the time has come for him to dissociate himself from the confusion and high-handedness of those in charge at the party.
He also accused the party of imposition and clear disregard for party rules and regulations.
“I am using this medium to announce my resignation from the Labour Party. Having consulted widely with my teaming supporters across the state, it is only expedient for me and my followers to make this decision.
“It is quite clear that the LP has not learnt any lesson and very obvious that it is not ready to enthrone purposeful leadership at all levels.
“Intra-party squabble and power struggle are creating a toxic environment and making it difficult for members to remain committed to the party.
“What we have witnessed as far as I am concerned is poor leadership and ineffective management, lack of vision and autocratic decision-making.
“If you take a critical look at the party today, you will discover that many notable leaders who founded the LP have left the political party,” he said.
