Edo Guber: Drama As Two Labour Party Chairmen Attend INEC Stakeholders Meeting

There was mild drama at the Edo State INEC headquarters in Benin-City on Friday as Hon Elizabeth Ativie and Comrade Kelly Ogbaloi both introduced themselves as chairmen of the Edo State chapter of the Labour Party(LP) at INEC Stakeholders Meeting in Benin-City

The duo have attended the stakeholders meeting organized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for political parties, security agencies and the media ahead the September 21 governorship election.

Recall that Hon. Elizabeth Ativie was recently sworn-in as caretaker committee chairman by the Julius Abure-led national leadership of the party, while Comrade Kelly Ogbaloi, who’s exco committee in the state was also desolved by Abure.

The stakeholders meeting which was chaired by the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu was to meet with the leadership of the various political parties participating in the election.

The comic side of the meeting began when the chairmen of the parties present were called upon to introduce themselves. Interestingly, the parallel chairmen of the Labour Party sat beside themselves.

Mrs Ativie who was the first to introduce herself, said:

“I am Right Honourable Elizabeth Uyimwen Ativie. By the grace of God, I am the youngest and the latest chairman in town, the Chairman of Labour Party, Edo State.”

As soon as she finished introducing herself, Mrs Ativie, in attempt to give the microphone to the next person, stretched her hand beyond Ogbaloi who was next to her. The latter however grabbed the microphone from her to introduce himself.

Ogbaloi’s introduction went thus: “I am Comrade Kelly Ogbaloi (KSE), chairman, Labour Party, Edo State.”

No sooner than the two fractional chairmen introduced themselves, the hall roared in laughter. The same occurred during the interactive session.

Prof Mahmood Yakubu,who has been on a working visit to Edo State ahead the September 21 governorship election said that he is happy that the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise is going smoothly after an initial hitches on the first day and advised political parties to play by the rule of the game.