Major setback for LP as Guber candidate, running mate dump party

The Labour Party (LP) in Bayelsa State has faced a major blow following the resignation of its governorship candidate, Udengs Eradiri, and his running mate, Commodore Benjamin Nathus (retd.), along with several local government chairmen.

Eradiri, recently honored with a Fellowship by the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), officially communicated his resignation in a letter dated December 8, addressed to the LP state chairman in Yenagoa.

This development signifies a significant weakening of the party’s structure in Bayelsa, especially in the wake of the recent governorship election. The departure of Eradiri and Nathus, coupled with the defection of key local government chairmen, underscores internal challenges within the party at the state level.

In the letter, titled “Letter of Withdrawal as Labour Party Member,” Eradiri explained that his decision was driven by the need to pursue his political aspirations on a platform capable of providing the quality leadership Bayelsa State requires.

Expressing gratitude to Labour Party members who supported his vision for a better Bayelsa, Eradiri acknowledged the party’s contributions during his tenure as its governorship candidate.

“But unfortunately, we couldn’t scale through the intrigues and challenges implanted in the party leadership”, he said.

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Eradiri noted that it was a great moment working together politically and traversing the nooks and crannies of the state in the quest for leadership.

Eradiri, who came third in the governorship poll, said his decision was supported by his loyalists.

Also in his letter of withdrawal, Nathus said the move was borne out of his decision to seek a platform committed to a leadership that would propel Bayelsa towards a brighter and more prosperous future.

He said: “I am profoundly grateful for the support and camaraderie of the party members who have shared in our vision for a thriving Bayelsa and graciously provided me the opportunity to serve as a deputy governorship candidate. The journey has been enriched with invaluable experiences and insights”.

Nathus said he was honoured to work with dedicated colleagues and engage deeply with communities in the pursuit of transformative governance.

Eradiri, who confirmed his resignation from the party, said he was undergoing serious consultations to decide the next political platform that would enable him to provide service to the people.

“We are consulting seriously and engaging all stakeholders to know the next political party to join. Our next party of interest will be such that will enable us to provide service to the people and mice Bayelsa forward”, he said.