Anslem Eragbe, the suspended youth leader for the Labour Party (LP), claims the party’s national chairman Julius Abure violated the party’s constitution by suspending him.

Eragbe has recently been suspended by LP members for six months over alleged insubordination, and fraud, among others. His deputy, Kennedy Ahanotu, was then appointed to act in an interim capacity.

Eragbe, during an interview with Channels television on Thursday, said the party constitution did not empower Abure to “unilaterally” suspend any executive member.

He added that his sanction did not pass through the national executive council of the party.

“We operate under the laws, there are things we shouldn’t be seen doing. I do not accept my suspension because it is illegal,” Eragbe said

Eragbe stated that he still remains the National Youth Leader of the Labour Party.

“I am the National Youth Leader but not withstanding because of the appeals everywhere, this matter is being looked into within the party system and the stakeholders, they have appealed for calm,” he said.

However, the party’s acting youth leader, Ahanotu, who was also a guest during the interview, advised Eragbe to take his suspension in good faith and wait for the next directive from the party.

“As a soldier of the Labour Party, you obey the last order. Once an instruction is given by the statutory bodies of the party you have to abide by it,” Ahanotu said.

Ahanotu added that Eragbe should take his suspension period as an opportunity to concentrate on his senatorial ambition for Edo North in the 2023 general elections.