News Thumb Magazine ..news reporting..
..Expression of Interest Forms in Labour Party, Lagos State
By way of introduction, my foray into politics is borne out of my passionate
desire to liberate our people from the stronghold of professional politicians.
I call them professional politicians because from generations to
generations, they have been in politics for their sole selfish and familial
interests with no benefit to the masses.
2023 presented a near perfect opportunity for me to serve the masses
when I saw that my ideological bias aligns with our leader, H.E. Peter Obi
and Labour Party. In Peter Obi, I saw a man who’s genuinely interested in
serving the masses and I believed Labour Party, as in its UK counterpart
where I lived for decades, was the appropriate vehicle being a party for the
masses.
The above led to my participation in the 2023 general elections and with
the massive support of my good people of Ojo, I am their elected
representative at the House of Representatives, Abuja. Shortly before that,
I was the Lagos State Chairman of Labour Party tasked to position our great
party for the 2023 general election. Mrs. Dayo Ekong was my deputy
woman leader at that time.
I am compelled by the virtue of my office as an elected representative of
my people and various complaints from within and outside my constituency
in Lagos State to issue this statement on some misleading information and
happenings in Labour Party Lagos State Chapter.
I have been inundated with calls and messages from my constituents and
other party faithful in Lagos State on the alleged congresses and selling of
forms for the upcoming local government election in Lagos State by the
Dayo Ekong led exco of Labour Party in Lagos State.
This press release is to set the record straight for all and sundry and prevent
them from losing their hard-earned money.
The Dayo Ekong led Exco of Labour Party in Lagos State was last
reappointed on 27 October 2023 for a period of 3 months. See attached
the appointment letter as certified by INEC. By the express provision of the
appointment letter, their tenure ended on 26 January 2024 and it has NOT
been renewed till date. Therefore, the Dayo Ekong led Exco is an impostor.
Indeed, there’s a court case at the Federal High Court, Abuja seeking court
orders, among other things, to set aside all the illegal activities of Mrs. Dayo
Ekong led Exco since the end of her tenure and to restrain her and cohort
from parading themselves as Labour Party State Excos for Lagos State. See
the attached court papers. The court case will also set aside all the illegal
caretaker excos appointed by her across all the local governments in Lagos
State. All the court papers have been served on her and she has not filed
any defence till date to the best of my knowledge.
I state categorically that upon the expiration of tenure of the Dayo
Ekong led State Exco on 26 January 2024, she and other exco
members lack the power to appoint local government excos, to
conduct any congress or sell any expression of interest or
nomination form for Labour Party in Lagos state.
I am also aware that Mrs. Dayo Ekong has been pressurizing Barr. Julius
Abure to write to INEC informing INEC that her tenure has been renewed
but Barr. Julius Abure is unwilling to write to INEC because it’s being alleged
that INEC does not recognize Barr. Julius Abure as National Chairman due
to his failure to follow due process.
As a party, we cannot be criticizing the appetite of the Nigerian state for
lawlessness while we are guilty of or encouraging the same disregard for
due process or rule of law within our great party. We must right the wrongs
starting within our party by entrenching and respecting due process in our
dealings.
In view of the above, I therefore urge all Labour Party members, supporters
and aspirants wishing to contest under the umbrella of our great party to
be wary of buying any form to contest for the forthcoming local government
election in Lagos State and not to participate in any kangaroo congresses
being organized by a charlatan group as I strongly believe that the court
being the last hope of the common man will right all the wrongs being
perpetuated in Labour Party, Lagos State.
