From Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
The leadership crisis bedevilling the Edo State chapter of the Labour Party has taken a new turn as the youth wing of the party took over its operations in Benin.
A visit to the party’s secretariat saw the presence of the members of the Edo State Security Network (ESSN) and other security agencies possibly to forestall the breakdown of law and order.
Addressing journalists at the party’s secretariat at Ogbelaka, the three-man caretaker committee, led by the former youth leader of the party, Ken Omusi, who announced the takeover, alleged that the leadership of the party is seriously rooted in corruption.
He said the youths who are the future leaders of the party can’t fold up their aims and allow them to be destroyed completely by tendencies of corruption.
Omusi maintained that the party must get it right before the governorship election.
Omusi said, consequently, the group has to dissolve the existing leadership of the party and assume control of the party.
But in a swift reaction, the embattled Chairman, Kelly Ogbaloi, described the takeover as illegal and undemocratic, therefore, it will not stand.
He called on members of the party in the state to remain calm as everything will be brought under control soon.