The Ogun state chapter of Labour Party (LP) has expelled Doyin Okupe, the Director-General of Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council and 11 others for violating the party’s constitution.
The Ogun State chairman Michael Ashade and the party’s secretary Feyisola Michael told journalists on Thursday that Okupe and others have not paid their membership dues in the last six months, despite numerous notice.
Chronicle NG reports that Okupe joined Labour Party from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in May 2022 after Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate also dumped PDP.
The chairman said others expelled along with Okupe are Abayomi Collins, Hon. Abel Olaleye, Jagun Lookman, Olori Oluwabukola Soyoye, Mr. Gbadebo Fesomade, (former State Treasurer), Mr. Abdulmalik Olaleye (former State Youth Leader), Mr. Jide Amusan( former State Publicity Secretary); Mr. Adeshina Wasiu Shojobi (former Assistant State Youth Leader); Miss Deborah Adewale (former Senatorial Women Leader Ogun East) and Mr. Olatunde Abolade (former Assistant State Secretary).
Ashade accused Okupe of polarising Labour Party in Ogun State, claiming that he is using only using LP to revive his political and financial career.
The Ogun state chairman urged the national chairman of the party, Barr. Julius Abure to immediately relieve Okupe of his position as DG of PCC and appoint another DG who should come from the North to reflect federal characters and political balance.
Quoting Article 9(3)xi of the Labour Party constitution, Ashade said, “Only fully registered and financially up-to-date members of the Party shall have the right to vie for office in the Ward Executive, Local Government Area Executive, State Executive Councils and the National Working Committee of the Party or be a delegate to the Congresses and the National Convention.
“Article 9(3)iii of our Party’s Constitution states as follows: ‘only members who pay their monthly membership dues at rates prescribed shall be deemed to be bonafide members of the Party. Arrears of dues of up to six months shall lead to forfeiture of membership.’
“Despite repeated demands from various meetings I had with Dr. Doyin Okupe in respect of his mandatory constitutional requirements to fulfill membership status, he has failed woefully in this regard with some others to flagrantly disobey the constitution of Labour party.
“… In line with article 19(3) of the Labour Party constitutional provision, we declare that Dr. Doyin Okupe, having failed in the payment of his membership dues for the last six months of joining the Party, has forfeited his membership of the Party and no longer fit and competent to continue to act as the DG of the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC).
“We hereby notify our National Chairman Bar Julius Abure and Labour Party Presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, that it’s expedient to obey the constitution of Labour party by immediately appoint another DG for the PCC and that should come from the North to reflect Federal Characters and political balance
