The Bayelsa State Executive Council of the Labour Party (LP) has expelled Udengs Eradiri, the party’s governorship candidate in the recently concluded off-cycle election.
The expulsion, announced by LP Chairman Eneyi Zidougha during a weekend meeting in Yenagoa, cited Eradiri’s alleged violation of the party’s codes of conduct as the grounds for this action.
During the same meeting, the council also declared the dissolution of the local government and ward chairmen of the LP, further reshaping the party’s leadership in the state. Chairman Zidougha emphasized the necessity of these decisions to uphold the integrity of the party.
Eradiri’s expulsion was prompted by reported illicit activities post-governorship polls, as disclosed by Zidougha.
The state LP leadership, having received information about Eradiri’s alleged transgressions, issued a public warning advising against any dealings with him and the affected ward chairmen.
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He said,
“After the party primaries and the governorship election on November 11, 2023, the state executive council has unanimously agreed that Mr. Udengs Eradiri be expelled.
“All party members should remain calm because the exercise is meant to strengthen our party and prepare us for the challenge ahead. The general public is hereby advised not to have any dealings with the deposed local government chairmen or Mr Udengs Eradiri on behalf of the Labour Party.”
However, Eradiri advised Zidougha to leave him out of the crisis rocking the state leadership of the party. He described him as “an acting factional chairman of the party”, adding that “the party’s constitution did not confer such powers on him (Zidougha).”