Ogun State Labour Party, Inaugurated New Interim Executive Committee: Brief Press at a Conference

At the press conference organized by the executives and working committee of Ogun State Labour Party, Abeokuta. Mr. Kika Glasgow, the publicity secretary, amidst;

NOTICE OF LEADERSHIP TRANSITION AND RESTORATION OF ORDER IN LABOUR

PARTY OGUN STATE BY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAIRMEN OF THE PARTY WHO

ARE STATUTORY MEMBERS OF THE STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, AND OTHER PARTY

STAKEHOLDERS

Distinguished members of the Labour Party, esteemed stakeholders, support groups,

members of the press, citizens of Ogun State, and respected citizens of the Federal

Republic of Nigeria:

A. PREAMBLE AND CONSTITUTIONAL FOUNDATION

Pursuant to Article 7 of the Labour Party Constitution, which establishes the supremacy of our party constitution over all other rules and regulations within the party structure, and acting under the powers vested in the legitimate organs of the party, we, the undersigned members of state executive council/committee and stakeholders hereby issue this notice of constitutional intervention.

B. LOCUS STANDI AND AUTHORITY

We establish our authority to undertake this intervention on the following constitutional grounds:

1. As Local Government Chairmen, either: a) Duly elected through constitutionally mandated congresses, or b) Unanimously appointed by stakeholders in accordance with Article 14(8) and Article 18 of our

constitution;

2. As members of the State Executive Council under Article 14(5)(A), which mandates the inclusion of Chairmen and Secretaries of all the Local Government Executive Committees of the Party in the State”;

3. As stakeholders obligated under Article 8(c) to “create a new Nigerian personality who would be patriotic, altruistic, transparent and be committed to due process and rule of law.

C.CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS AND NECESSITY FOR INTERVENTION

The current institutional crisis necessitating this intervention is predicated on multiple, severe constitutional breaches:

1. Violation of Constitutional Term Limits. Article 16(i) explicitly limits the tenure of State

officers to “2 terms of 4 years each.” And Article16(iii), states that non-member shall serve in the same office continuously in the case of elected position by Congress and much less in this case by appointment in an interim capacity. The continued stay in office of the cur-rent leadership, whose care taker mandate expired in April 2024, constitutes an ultra vires action that undermines our constitutional order.

2. Systematic Violation of Financial Provisions. Article 26(c) mandates specific requirements for financial management;

a) Maintenance of official bankaccounts at all levels ;

b) Dual signatory requirements involving the chairman ;

c) Prescribed distribution of party funds (Article 26(b)) .

These provisions have been systematically violated as follows:

• Receiving of party alliance money in the last governorship election to the tune of N230,000,000 (Two hundred and thirty million naira only)into personal account.

• Subsequent misappropriation of the same money without fully disclosing how every dime was disbursed.

• Unilateral financial decisions without statutory consultations, violating Article 26(c)(ii) .

• Absence of transparent financial management systems and subsequent misappropriation.

3. Violation of Democratic Principles. Article 8(b) mandates that”the Party shall be opened to all Nigerians irrespective of gender, religion, state and ethnic background.” This fundamental prin-ciple has been violated through:

• Exclusionary practices in party administration with respect to deliberate castration and alienation plots against certain individualsand youths (mostly the obidients in the party) ;

• Creating parallel structures by opening alternate communication channels while ostracizing legitimate leaders from such platforms ;

• Ethnic and factional discrimination against committed and loyal party members, especially those of non-Yoruba extraction who dared to call their bluff;

• Denial of members’ rights to participate in decision-making. A high handedness that allows the chairman to decide unilaterally who to work with or not based on their perceived allegiance

Inaugurated interim Executives;

Dear Compatriots,

The Chairmen of Local Government and other key stakeholders hereby unanimously evoke their constitutional powers to present to you the list of Interim Executive Committee to pilot the affairs of the party in the state with immediate effect pending the convocation of a party congress. These names comprise of party faithful who have stood their grounds in matters of integrity and stewardship towards the fundamental principles of our party ;

1. Apagun Olaolu Samuel Babatude – Chairman

2. Mr Abel Olaleye – Vice Chairman

3. Mr. Kingsley Egbo – Senitorial Chairman

4. Past Shittu Adetunji – Senitorial Chairman

5. Mrs Monrenike Malizu – General Secretary

6. Engr Ibilade – Ass Secretary

7. Alhaji Taofeek Oloyode – Treasure

8. Pastor Olusola Kolawole – Financial Secretary

9. Mr Kika Glasgow – Publicity Secretary

10. Mr. Rasaq Adaniyi – Organizing Secretary

11. Mr Lantre Abdul Raheem – Youth Leader

12. DR. Deborah Ilori – Youth Leader

13. Mr Kazeem O. Johnson – Senitorial Youth Leader

14. Mrs. Akande Muinat – State Woman Leader

15. Mrs. Adediran Susan – Senitorial Women Leader

16. Mrs. Rachel Dopemu – Senitorial Women Leader

17. Bar. Ahmed Adikwuru – Legal Adviser.

ACCEPTANCE REMARKS BY APAGUN OLAOLU SAMUEL INTERIM EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN LABOUR PARTY, OGUN STATE CHAPTER

Distinguished party leaders, fellow comrades, members of the press, and citizens of Ogun State:

I stand before you today with profound humility and an acute sense of responsibility as I accept the mandate to lead our great party during this critical period of transformation. This is not merely a change of leadership; it is the dawn of a new era in the Labour Party, Ogun State Chapter.

The circumstances that necessitated this intervention are well documented, but let me be clear: our mission transcends individuals. We are here to restore the foundational principles upon which our party was built – integrity, democracy, and service to the common man. To those who have entrusted me with this responsibility, I make these solemn commitments:

First, we shall govern with absolute transparency. Every naira of party funds will be accounted for, every decision will be made in accordance with our constitution, and every member’s voice will matter.

Second, we shall eliminate the cancer of ethnic politics that has threatened to divide us. The Labour Party in Ogun State shall return to its roots as a party that embraces all, regardless of tribal affiliation or social status.

Third, we shall protect the democratic rights of every party member. Never again shall legitimate candidates be denied their rightful nominations. Never again shall party members face intimidation for expressing their views. To the suspended former leaders, our doors remain open for reconciliation, provided you subject yourselves to proper accounting and constitutional order. To our youth wing and the Obidient family, you represent not just our future but our present. Your energy, innovation, and commitment to a new Nigeria will find full expression under this leadership.

To our Local Government Chairmen and party executives at all levels, you are the backbone of our party. Together, we shall strengthen our grassroots structures and prepare for electoral victories. As your chairman, I bring not just experience but a burning passion for justice and good governance. I understand the weight of this responsibility, and I embrace it fully. Let me address our detractors directly: your threats and intimidation only strengthen our resolve. We stand on the firm ground of constitutional authority and moral righteousness. No amount of pressure will deter us from our mission of restoration.

Our immediate priorities are clear:

Restoration of constitutional order
Financial accountability and transparency
Inclusive party structure and communications
Protection of members’ rights and interests
Preparation for electoral success

To the people of Ogun State, watch this space. You are about to witness the rebirth of a party truly dedicated to the welfare of the common man. We shall demonstrate that ethical leadership is not just possible – it is the only acceptable way forward.

Fellow comrades, the task ahead is enormous, but our resolve is stronger. Together, we shall: