Crisis Hits Labour Party In Bayelsa, Party Splits Into 4 Factions Two Days Before Election

The Bayelsa State chapter of the Labour Party (LP) has been hit by a major crisis barely two days before the scheduled November 11, 2023, governorship election in the state.

Naija News understands the Labour Party in Bayelsa has split into four factions as some members of the State Executive have also endorsed Gov. Douye Diri who is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for Saturday’s election.

Recall that the governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Bayelsa, Udengs Eradiri, accused the party leadership in the state of collecting bribes from Governor Diri.

Making this allegation during an interview with Arise TV, the party’s governorship candidate accused the party’s leadership in the state of collecting N100 million bribe from the state governor.

Speaking on the alleged N100 million bribe, and some state executives allegedly hobnobbing with Governor Diri, the Chairman of the Forum of Labour Party Local Government Chairmen in Bayelsa, John Toby, said they were not surprised because they had known some of the executive committee members as Diri’s moles in the party.

He however said the party remains committed to its candidate and Saturday’s polls.

He said: “As we predicted, these EXCO members went to the governor and collected N100 million to endorse him and disown our candidate, Udengs Eradiri in a press conference.

“But God has already thrown heavy confusion in their midst because as we speak they are fighting over the money. They came back and declared N50 million to others and claimed that they sent N50 million to the national headquarters of our party.

“Who did they send the money to at the national headquarters? We have called the national party chairman and he said such money was not sent to him. We have also called other national party executive members and they denied collecting such money.

“We want to alert members of the public to be wary of these characters and masqueraders. They are only after their selfish interests because they view each election as an opportunity to make money from the state government.”

Toby added that Eradiri has the support of all grassroots members of the Labour Party for Saturday’s election.

He added, “All grassroots members of LP hereby disown these so-called party leaders. They are on their own. We want to make it clear that no amount of sabotage and sellout will stop the massive grassroots support already garnered by our candidate.

“Our candidate, Udengs Eradiri, has ignited the spirit of Adaka Boro in the minds of our people and they are ready to free themselves from the political stranglehold of incompetent and selfish leaders mortgaging our future and the future of our children. The people are ready to speak and they will speak with their votes against these characters.”