The Labour Party, LP, in Cross River State has suspended its chairman, Mr Ogar Osim, over allegations of embezzlement and anti-party activities.
The state chairman of the party, who is also accused of inability to maintain a state secretariat and other sundry issues, was suspended alongside the Secretary, Felix Etim, on Tuesday.
The chairman and secretary of the State Disciplinary Committee, Bonnie Adie and Ibiang Igri, respectively, also the appointment of an acting chairman and secretary for the LP state chapter.
The statement said that Eugene Obia and Allen Ekpe are to remain in acting capacity pending when a congress will be held to elect a substantive Chairman and Secretary respectively.
“The decision to relieve them of the positions was taken following a thorough investigation into allegations of gross misconduct, anti-party activities, inability to maintain a state secretariat, embezzlement, and other serious issues.
“We are confident that Mr Obia and Mr Ekpe who have been appointed in acting capacities will provide strong leadership and ensure the smooth functioning of the Labour Party in the State.
“We urge all members to cooperate with the new leadership and work together to achieve the party’s goals,” it stated.
Contacted, the Labour Party, (LP) Chairman, Com Ogar Osim described his suspension as laughable adding that those who signed his purported suspension letter were unknown to the Party and were mere impostors.
“Those persons who signed the purported suspension letter are impostors and I will describe them as strange elements, because their names are not in any of our registers, from ward level to chapter and state, we don’t know them.
“Even if there was anything like a disciplinary committee as they claimed, their letter should have been signed by the legal adviser.
“We are taking them to court, even if such a committee exists, they can only make recommendations, they don’t have powers to suspend,” Ogar said.
Alleged embezzlement: Labour Party suspends chairman in Cross River