LP Supports Okupe, Says Sack As Null, Void

The National Secretary of Labour Party, Umar Farouk, has declared his support for the embattled Director General of Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Council, Doyin Okupe, describing his sacking as ‘null and void.’

Okupe and 10 other members of the party were removed by the leadership of the Ogun State Chapter of LP over alleged “non-financial membership status, political rascality, and misappropriation of funds.”

The affected members were deputy State Chairman II East, Jagun Lookman; State Women Leader, Oluwabukola Soyoye; ex-state Treasurer, Gbadebo Fesomade; State Publicity Secretary, Jide Amusan; State Youth Leader, Abdulmalik Olaleye; Assistant State Youth Leader, Adeshina Shojobi; Senatorial Women Leader Ogun East, Deborah Adewale; Assistant State Secretary, Olatunde Abolade; Abel Olaleye; and Abayomi Collins.

Their dismissal was miffed with accusation and counter-accusation by the party’s hierarchy, as the National Chairman of the party, Julius Abure, labeled Obi’s DG sacking as ‘fake news.'

While assuring that a committee has been set up to investigate and bring the respective exco members behind his expulsion to book, the LP national secretary stated that the former special assistant to Dr Goodluck Jonathan remains a card-carrying member of the party and the PCC.

“The Ogun state chapter has acted outside its constitutional Jurisdiction.

"The party has internal conflict resolution mechanism for handling cases against party members as enshrined in the party’s Constitution.

“Therefore, the suspension of Dr Doyin Okupe from the party by the Ogun state chapter is null and void.

"He still remains a card-carrying member of the Labour Party and the DG of the PCC.

“The Party is solidly united behind its leads and the leadership of the PCC.

"We are also not unaware of the attempts by our opposition in some political parties to infiltrate the party’s structure at all levels since it has become obvious the chances of the Labour party’s candidates emerging victorious in the upcoming general elections are becoming brighter every day.

“The party leadership will do everything within its powers to ensure that our cohesion is not tempered with and will not be distracted by the antics of the opposition as our candidates are already cruising to victory.”

Farouk also bemoaned the recent attacks on our party supporters, members, and candidates in some states, particularly in Edo, Ebonyi and Kaduna States, where one of its Local Government Women leaders was gruesomely murdered.

“We call on the opposition, particularly the state governors to restrain their thugs as well as the security agencies to be more vigilant and carry out their constitutional responsibility in protecting lives and properties of the citizens,” he stated.