Labour Party National Youth Leader Reacts To Allegations Against Him, Says He Remains in Office
The National Youth Leader of Labour Party (LP), Comrade Eragbe Anslem, who was on Thursday slammed a six-month suspension by the leadership of the party over allegations bordering on forgery, opening of an illegal donation website and acts of insubordination, has denied any wrong doing.
The Youth Leader, who has equally said that he remains in office despite the suspension order by the party, has written to President Muhammadu Buhari, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the trade union leaders, and the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, describing his sanction as illegal.
The national youth leader’s suspension was contained in a letter issued in Abuja by LP National Secretary, Umar Ibrahim.
It read, “You may wish to recall that on the 14th of October, 2022. The National Working Committee of the party met and has among other matters deliberated on the allegations of misconduct labelled against you as the National Youth Leader of the Labour Party. A disciplinary committee was constituted to look into your matter and report to the National Chairman.
Consequently, the committee has submitted its reports to the National Chairman with its recommendations in accordance with the party’s constitution as Amended (2019).
“In compliance with the party’s constitution, as Amended, (2019) and the committee’s recommendations, you are hereby suspended from your duties as the National Youth Leader of the Labour Party for a period of 6 (six) months, with effect from 18th October 2022. The relevant organs of the party will within the period, meet to ratify the full recommendations of the disciplinary committee.
“You are advised to surrender all party’s documents and materials in your possession to the undersigned.”
Hours after his suspension, Anslem was replaced by Prince Kennedy Ahanotu, who is expected to act as Acting National Youth Leader of the party.
However, the embattled National Youth Leader took to his twitter handle on Saturday, saying, “For those who have labeled me on their social spaces out of what they heard from the lies that LP churned out, I hope you will use the same medium to say that you are also wrong when the truth finally comes out?
“Remember truth can never be covered, it can only tarry, but it shall see the light of day.
“Yes, my choice of words in one of the Twitter spaces might have been a misrepresentation of my person and personality.
“Perhaps, Insinuations or perception of ‘arrogance’ by anyone about me and my conduct should be dispelled even from my style and choice of words.
“This should not be used to conclude on anyone’s trajectory.
“I can only say, we learn everyday and corrections will be taken where necessary.
“Dear Obidients and the Youth of our great nation at home and in the diaspora, you have heard about all the allegations the LP levelled against me, and I will need you all to relax your minds and listen to my interview where I responded to all allegations.
“Decide for yourself after listening to my interview and make further inquiries where necessary about my position on the matter”, the twitter thread concluded.
In his interview with Silverbird Television, Comrade Eragbe Anslem took time to explain how the National Chairman of the party, Barr. Julius Abure threatened to suspend him and nothing will happen. This, according to him, was after the Party chairman refused to allow him perform his constitutionally defined duty as the National Youth Leader, showing bulk of letters and correspondents to the office of the National Chairman, contrary to the allegations against him.
Comrade Eragbe Anslem had in his reaction to his suspension, insisted that the national secretary’s letter written to intimate him about his suspension reeks of desperation to harm him and what he represents in the ‘Obedient Movement.’
The reaction read, “I will like to make reference to Article 17 (iii) page 31 of the Labour Party Constitutional provision on how a ranking National Working Committee member like me as the National Youth Leader can be removed from office, rather than the shame that Barr. Julius Abure has brought upon Mr Peter Obi and Yusuf Datti and LP generally.
““Fellow Nigerians, let it be noted that the National Executive Council of Labour Party is Not Aware of any report of the disciplinary committee that Barr. Julius Abure illegally acted upon, and neither was 2/3 majority of votes cast by NEC members nor was I, as National Youth Leader in attendance in such an NEC meeting that was not called.
“I definitely will not allow myself to be used as an instrument of distraction and destruction at this critical juncture in our nation’s history.
“Relevant authorities and security agencies in Nigeria shall hold Barr Julius Abure liable for whatever crisis that shall precipitate from this his illegal action against me going forward.
“I am prepared to mobilize the youth of our great country to vehemently resist Barr. Julius Abure’s attempt to impose or parade anyone else as the Acting National Youth Leader of the Labour Party.
“The Chairman of EFCC and relevant financial institutions in Nigeria are hereby put on notice to freeze all Labour Party Bank Accounts for immediate investigation as it affects fund mobilization by LP forthwith.
“The position of National Chairman of LP shall henceforth be ceded to Northern Nigeria since the party’s presidential candidate is from Southern Nigeria, while the position of National Secretary shall be ceded to Southern Nigeria”, Comrade Anslem said.
During the television interview, the youth leader noted that he remained the National Youth leader of the party, calling on the Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi and his Vice presidential candidate, Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, to intervene and call the party leadership to order, insisting that his suspension remained illegal as he has done no wrong.
According to him, at no time did he ever raise funds for the party, despite the constitutional provision in the party constitution that members are obligated to engage in fundraising for the Labour Party.
A look at the fundraising page of the website for national mobilisation created by the Party’s national youth leader showed that the account for donations on the website is the Labour Party’s Zenith Bank account.
Comrade Anslem has challenged anyone who contributed funds to his personal account to come up with his evidence, saying that at no time did he ever engage in any act of insubordination.
