The Edo State Chapter of Labour and Civil Society Coalition (LASCO), with some of its national bodies, has vowed to effectively mobilise its teeming members and the faithful of the state chapter of the Labour Party (LP), to vote against Barrister Olumide Akpata, LP”s aspirant in the governorship primary excercise and general election, taking place, this year, in the state.
The group alleged that reason for working against the Akpata’s aspiration was that he had secured a noctunal endorsement by the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, who they also alleged to have often made derogatory remarks on the party.
The comments were made through a press statement of the body, signed by Comrade Tony Erha, one of LASCO’s National Conveners, Comrade Joe Iziegbe, Dr. Peter Kwenzulike, Comrade (Mrs.) Hilda Ogie and Comrade Gabriel Ehiaguina, Ist Vice Chairman, 2nd Vice Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary, respectively of the state chapter.
The statement added that the undue interferences and attempted manipulation of the party by the governor, about the supposedly independent affairs of Edo LP, could be deduced from the catapulting of the Expression of Interest and Nomination forms to a whopping Thirty Million Naira (N30 million), where aspirant sponsored by the governor, like Akpata, could easily afford it, while the authentic aspirants of the party, who had continually toiled for its wellbeing would be excluded because they could not afford it.
The body also called on the Barrister John Abure-led national LP, the Comrade Joe Ajaegbo led-Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) boss, Comrade Festus Osifo, should prevail on LP to stop the Thirty Million Naira (N30 million) mandatory, which it said, should be reduced to Four Million Naira (N4 million) or less.
The statement cautioned that Edo LP should not be sold to the highest bidder.
“While it is our share determination to stamp out money illusion and commercialising of LP, we stand firmly by our social democratic examples and precepts, LASCO is in solidarity with the distinguished Senator, representing Edo south senatorial district, Senator Neda Imasuen, Comrade (Dr) Patrick Osagie Eholor (aka Ultimate Equals) and other public-spirited associates of ours, who had publicly denounced the very high fees, which only money bags could provide.”
LASCO also observed that Barrister Akpata, the former National President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the others aspirants alleged to be supported by the governor, were never known in the past to support the watchdog principles of LASCO or LP, a social democratic platforms, but only to come out from the blues to aspire on it, as if it is for all-comers and normadic politicians.
“As a determined people’s coalition, we are against the Nairalisation of LP and its values, where moles masquerade as our associates”; the statement added. .
It also asserted that “LASCO and its members are the soul and conscience of the Edo and Nigerian people and not of the wiles of the oppressors, who flaunt ill-gotten wealth from our common patrimony, to elongate the suffering of the people.”
LASCO is said to be the oldest Civil and Labour coalition in the country, and the bedrock of Edo election swings and some other national political movements, which had originated from the state, in the last two decades.
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