Former Edo Speaker Dumps APC, May Defect To Labour Party

A former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Elizabeth Ativie, has resigned from her membership in the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking on Tuesday at a press briefing in Benin, Ativie said her resignation letter had been submitted to Edo APC Chairman, Col. David Imuse (rtd.).

In the letter, the former speaker said she left the party over the current unresolved crises facing APC in the state and the alleged non-inclusion of women in elective positions.

She asked for a third force for members to freely express themselves outside the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The former Speaker urged her teeming supporters to remain calm while assuring that in a few weeks, she would let the whole world know her next political move.

It is, however, rumoured that the former speaker is planning to join Labour Party (LP).

The letter reads: “This is to convey to you that I have officially resigned from the APC, with immediate effect.

“The reason for my resignation is attributed to the current unresolved crises facing APC in Uhunmwonde and Orhionwwon LGAs, and the entire APC in Edo State.

“I wish to inform my teeming supporters and the general public that I have officially resigned from my former party, the APC, as a result of the crises since after the last primaries, in view of lack of internal democracy, with some persons allowed to hijack the party.

“It is not because I did not have the opportunity to have the ticket (to represent Uhunmwonde/Orhionwwon constituency in the House of Representatives) but I have been a feminine activist, and I have fought assiduously to ensure women’s inclusion in decision-making in Edo State and Nigeria.

“It is unacceptable that all the women in Edo State, who sought elective positions on the platform of APC in the primaries were illogically prevented from picking the tickets. APC does not have a female candidate in Edo South Senatorial District to that I belong. I cannot remain in such a political party that has no regard for women’s inclusion. Hence, I decided to throw in the towel.”