Estimated reading time: 15 minute(s)
Quadri Yahya
Allegations of scandal rocked the Labour Party following the failure of its Director-General of Peter Obi’s Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), Dr Doyin Okupe to account for N20 Million campaign funds.
Members of the Party in Ogun State dragged the DG Campaign Council, Okupe for what was described as political rascality and financial recklessness in the party.
The outburst came on Thursday in connection with the call that Okupe should step-down from his position.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that Okupe was alleged of high handedness in the party.
PLATFORM TIMES further reports that the sum of N20 million campaign fund meant for the mobilization of LP members in Ogun State, others to the just concluded campaign of the party in Ibadan, Oyo State has remained unaccounted.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered while Okupe said the sum of N5,195,000 was incurred for the campaign, the members of the party have charged him to disclose where the remaining funds were spent.
This was contained in a statement signed by chairman and secretary of the party in Ogun State, Michael Ashade and Feyisola Michael respectively.
The statement titled; setting the records straight on political rascality malfeasance, high handedness and financial recklessness of Dr Doyin Okupe, the former Director General of Labour Party presidential campaign organisation.
The statement reads; “In furtherance to our last press statement held Thursday 24th November, 2022, calling for the recomposition of the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) of our Party’s presidential candidate to reflect National outlook, we wish to bring to the notice of Nigerians the following:
“N20 Million was approved for Ogun State towards mobilization of members for the Oyo State rally held last week at Ibadan.
“The DG Campaign Council, Dr. Doyin Okupe, said in a chat to the State Chairman, Comrade Michael Ashade, that he was personally sponsoring the mobilization of members to the Ibadan rally for Ogun, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti States.
“An estimated cost of N5,195,000 was presented by the DG to be incurred by Ogun State for the rally at Ibadan and to be financed personally by him.
“Since the DG, Dr. Doyin Okupe had committed himself to funding the mobilization of Ogun State for the Ibadan rally, we want to know where the N20 Million approved for Ogun State.”
Ashade and Michael further said Okupe’s actions are against the party’s Constitution.
They said, “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 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 the Labour party.
“He has polarized the party in Ogun State with his crops of PDP dissidents political liabilities who are only using Labour Party to revive their not only irredeemable dead Political and Financial lives but has successfully stole all that is available in LP
“Therefore, 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 Ballance
“We challenge Dr. Doyin Okupe to provide evidence of any payment in respect of membership dues prior to today into any bank account of the Party.
“Article 9(3)xi of the Party’s Constitution states that “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”.
The party chairman and secretary however renounced the membership of Okupe and 10 others.
“Finally, in line with Article 9(3) sub(iii) and Article 9(3)xi the following have ceased as member of Labour party
“Okupe, former DG, LP PPC; Engr Hon Abayomi Collins; Hon Abel Olaleye; Engr. Jagun Lookman, Former Dep. State Chairman II East; Olori Oluwabukola Soyoye, Fmr State Women Leader; Mr. Gbadebo Fesomade, Fmr State Treasurer; Mr. Abdulmalik Olaleye, former State Youth Leader; Mr. Jide Amusan, former State Publicity Secretary
Others are; Mr. Adeshina Wasiu Shojobi, former Asst State Youth Leader; Miss Deborah Adewale, Former Senatorial Women Leader Ogun East and Mr. Olatunde Abolade, Former Asst State Secretary.
The statement further reads that the State Executive Council has approved their replacement with some other members of the party.
“Any disobedience exhibited by any of the affected former party members shall be resisted through lawful means of enforcement in the court of competent jurisdiction
“We wish to state categorically that we are committed to the ideals of our Party and are not influenced externally. All we want is Party supremacy as enshrined in our Constitution”, the statement read.
Estimated reading time: 1 minute(s)
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