By Nudoiba Ojen
LABOUR Party chieftain in Lagos State and House of Representatives member, Hon. Seyi Sowunmi, said on Monday that the tenure of the Dayo Ekong-led LP Lagos State EXCO lapsed since January 2024.
Consequently, Sowunmi, a former LP Lagos State chairman, advised party members to beware of ‘illegal congresses’ and sale of nomination forms for the forthcoming Lagos State local government elections by them.
The LP chieftain, in a statement, said that he had 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 LP in Lagos State”.
Consequently, the federal lawmaker said, “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 LP in Lagos State was last reappointed on 27 October 2023 for a period of three 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, among others, court order 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 LP 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 LP 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,” he stated.
