The immediate past National Youth Leader of the Labour Party, LP, Comrade Anslem Eragbe has bared his mind on why he was suspended by the party’s leadership.
A letter signed by LP National Chairman, Julius Abure and National Secretary, Umar Farouk Ibrahim, dated Tuesday, October 18, 2022, suspended Anslem Eragbe for a period of six months, appointing Prince Kennedy in an acting capacity.
The party, in a letter dated October 10, 2022, by its Secretary Disciplinary Committee, Alh. Saleh Lawan accused Eragbe of five-count allegations of misconduct; insubordination, illegal funds soliciting without approval, and convening illegal and unapproved youth summit, among others.
See a copy of the query letter as obtained by Quest Times below;
In a rebuttal statement exclusively obtained by our reporter, Comrade Eragbe said the allegations by the so-called party officials is “baseless and unfounded”.
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Read the unedited rebuttal statement below;
My name is COMRADE ERAGBE ANSLEM, the National Youth Leader of the Labour Party (LP).
The Labour Party (LP) Constitution as amended 2019 stated in clear and unambiguous terms the duties and powers of the National Youth Leader in the discharge of his constitutional responsibilities as follows:
Article 14 POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF OFFICERS PAGE 26 14: NATIONAL YOUTH LEADER.
Page 30 a- Shall be responsible for mobilization of Youths for the attainment of party objectives.
b- Initiate and Implement Strategic Programmes and Policies that would endear the party to Nigerian youth.
9c: National organizing Secretary shall liaise with the National Women and Youth Leaders for harmonization of programmes for the attainment of party victory at all elections.
Page-28 ALLEGATION 1: “Convening illegal and unapproved youth submit”
“REACTION 1: The constitution of the Labour Party (LP) stated explicitly that the National youth leader:
a- Shall be responsible for the mobilization of Youths for the attainment of party objectives. The constitution assigned explicitly the mobilization of youth to the National Youth Leader in all its forms and ramification as his lawful and legal functions.
“b- However, the Youth Summit is yet to be convened and thus making the allegation spurious and unfounded.
c- The National Youth Leader in observance of the duties and functions of the National Chairman also sought the approval of the National Chairman in a letter dated 7th October, 2022 and titled REQUEST FOR APPROVAL.
d- Find Attached a series of other letters addressed to the National Chairman for approvals: i- ANNEXURE 1, i- ANNEXURE 2, i- ANNEXURE 3, ii- ANNEXURE 4, ii- ANNEXURE 5, ii-ANNEXURE 6, ii- ANNEXURE 7, ii- ANNEXURE 8, iii- ANNEXURE 9, iii-ANNEXURE 10, iii-ANNEXURE 11 ii- ANNEXURE 12, iv- ANNEXURE 13, iv-ANNEXURE 14, iv-ANNEXURE 15, ii- ANNEXURE 16, v- ANNEXURE 17, v-ANNEXURE 18, v-ANNEXURE 19, ii- ANNEXURE 20, ALLEGATION 2: “Threatening of Deputy National Secretary.”
REACTION 2: This allegation by the so-called Deputy National Secretary is malicious with evil intent, utterly baseless and unfounded. ADDRESS: NO.2 IBM HARUNA STREET OPPOSITE NIGERIA UNION OF JOURNALIST, UTAKO DISTRICT, ABUJA, FCT Phone Number: +234(0)8037009181; Twitter: @EragbeAnslem
ALLEGATION 3: “Insubordination”
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REACTION 3: This allegation by the so-called party officials is baseless and unfounded.
ALLEGATION 4: “Illegal Funds Soliciting Without Approval”
REACTION 4: a- That the National Chairman, BARR JULIUS ABURE is aware, approved and also involved in the pursuit of the actualization of the Ten Billion Naira (N10,000,000,000.00) Fund Raising Initiated by the National Youth Leader, COMRADE ERAGBE ANSLEM
b- That the fundraising is towards the Implementation of strategic programmes and policies initiated by the National Youth Leader towards the 2023 election victory for our presidential candidate and other candidates in deploying ICT solutions and funding for electioneering activities.
c- That the strategic programmes and policies implementation would endear Labour Party (LP) to Nigerian Youth in line with the constitutional responsibilities imposed by the Labour party (LP) constitutions n the national youth leader according to 14(b) which states that:
d- The National Youth Leader shall Initiate and implement strategic programmes and policies that would endear the party to Nigerian youth.
e- That the National Chairman is aware of the Courtesy Calls and Solicitations embarked upon by the National Youth Leader to seek support for the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Candidate, MR PETER OBI and Vice Presidential Candidate SENATOR YUSUF DATTI to guarantee their 2023 general elections victory in Nigeria.
f- That the Electoral Act 2022, the Labour Party (LP) constitution and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria permit individuals, political parties and candidates to seek funding through Fund Raising for political parties and electioneering activities.
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g- That there is nothing illegal about Fund Raising by any officials of the Labour Party (LP) to meet the constitutional duties of that office where the party cannot foot or fund such programmes and provided such funds are not diverted by the individuals or officers.
ALLEGATION 5: “Misrepresenting the ideology of the party and breach of the constitution of the party”
REACTION 5: let it also be on record that these party officers are in themselves oblivious of the ideology of the Labour Party (LP); and that their allegations ADDRESS: NO.2 IBM HARUNA STREET OPPOSITE NIGERIA UNION OF JOURNALIST, UTAKO DISTRICT, ABUJA, FCT Phone Number: +234(0)8037009181; Twitter: @EragbeAnslem constitute breaches to my fundamental human rights. Labour Party’s ideology is that of social democracy
a- For the avoidance of doubt, the ideology of the Labour Party is that of social democracy as enumerated in the aims and objectives of the party as stated in the constitution.
b- Social democrats include the working class, farmers, professionals, intellectuals, students, women, youth, environmentalists, patriotic businessmen and women etc and all other Nigerians who accept the ideals of social democracy.
c- In forming the labour party, we affirm our commitment to the unity of the federal republic of Nigeria, the leading role of the Nigerian state in the economic and social environment of all Nigerians as a prerequisite for sustainable democracy and prosperity of the people.
d- To democratically seek political power and sustain the same for the purpose of enacting a government that shall pursue social democratic programmes as a basis for good governance, as a prerequisite for sustainable democracy and national prosperity.
e- To promote rapid technological and scientific advancement of Nigeria as the basis for bailing the country out of its present status of under development to an industrialized country within the shortest possible time
f- To constantly organize political and voter education programs and publish party literature, newspapers, etc. Accept the assurances of my esteemed regards and best wishes. Thank you.“