The Member, representing Ojo Federal Constituency of Lagos State and the Deputy Caucus Leader of Labour Party in the House of Representatives, Honourable Seyi Sowunmi, has warned his constituents and the generality of people in Lagos State against illegal Congresses and Sale of Local Government Election Expression of Interest Forms in Labour Party in the State
This was contained in a Press Release issued by the National Chairman, Labour Party Legislators Forum on Sunday, 25th August, 2024 and made available to journalists.
The Statement reads:
“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.
“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.
“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”.