There are strong indications that the leadership of the Labour Party(LP) in Edo State may have zeroed to throw their weight behind the governorship aspiration of Barrister Kenneth Imansuangbon, a frontline governorship aspirant in the 2024 Edo governorship election.
Imansuangbon(aka The Riceman), a few months ago dumped his former party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and defected to the LP. He was received by both the national and state leadership of the party in a grand reception amid jubilation.
Some of the aspirants seeking the LP governorship tickets are Dorry Okojie, Olumide Akpata, Chris Ogiemwonyi, Pastor Azemhe Azena, and Stephen Ogbemudia among others.
It was learnt that the decision of Imansuangbon to use the platform of the LP to pursue his aspiration is already creating buzz in the party as he is perceive to have the political war chest and spread to take the party to Osadebey Avenue, the number one seat of power, a strong factor the party is said to consider.
Some top members of the LP are said to be working behind the scene to ensure that the ticket of the party is given to a candidate with strong political experience and capacity to get the votes come the 2024 governorship battle.
A source within the party said, “The Labour Party is open to all because we want everybody to come on board in the battle to take over Edo State. Beyond the increasing number of aspirants seeking to be our governorship flagbearer, we are also looking at experienced politicians who can bring in the votes from the three senatorial districts because 2024 is a serious business and not for greenhorns.”
Meanwhile, youths of the LP across the three senatorial districts of Edo State have begun mobilisation and sensitisation of party members to deliver Barrister Imansuangbon as the party’s governorship candidate.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is yet to release a time table for next year’s governorship election but aspirants of various political parties have embarked on grassroot mobilisation of voters.
The LP youths said their choice of Imansuangbon was because they believe he possess the charisma to win the election.
Coordinator of the LP youths, Comrade Richard Asemota, spoke in Ekpoma after an enlarged meeting of the youths from across the state.
Comrade Asemota said they have activated the grassroot wing to help take the Imansuangbon message to the people in their homes.
Asemota stated that the LP does not need a greenhorn as its governorship candidate but an Imansuangbon that has supporters across the 195 political wards in the state.
His words, “We are here today to tell the world about our focus and where we are heading in the Labour Party. We, the Youth Wing, have decided to pitch our tent with Imansuangbon. The law allows us to choose our leaders.
“Our purpose is to come out this time before the release of the timetable because we do not want to confuse anybody. Our support is for Imansuangbon and we will not relent.
“The Imansuangbon course we have chosen to pursue. We are not stopping anybody from supporting other aspirants but we have chosen Imansuangbon as our preferred choice.
“All the party structure from the unit level to the state in terms of youth’s mobilisation has been activated. We will work for Imansuangbon to emerge as our party candidate.”
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