•Doyin Okupe
The leadership of the Labour Party has described the former Director General of its Presidential Campaign Council, Dr. Doyin Okupe, as a political opportunist whose foray into politics revolves around personal benefits.
National Publicity Secretary of the party, Obiora Ifoh, said this in a statement, in Abuja, today.
He spoke in response to a social media post by Okupe who described the LP as a “Special Purpose Vehicle,” which provided refuge for him and others who were muscled out of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, before the 2023 general elections.
Ifoh said, the party leadership, “like most Nigerians read in the social media the purported resignation of the former Director General of our Presidential Campaign Council, Dr. Doyin Okupe from the Labour Party.”
He noted that ordinarily, the party wouldn’t have responded to him but because of the media attraction it has been generating since yesterday.
The LP spokesman further said, “Needless to say after the general election, a few members of the party had left while many others have also joined the party.
“It is within the rights of any Nigerian to associate with any political parties of their choice.
“In the letter said to have been addressed to our National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, which is yet to be received, Okupe cited ideological conflict as the reason he left PDP, he also addressed Labour Party pejoratively as a ‘Special Purpose Vehicle’.
“This response wouldn’t have been necessary if Okupe had left quietly or perhaps claim ‘personal reasons’ for his actions but by way of him demeaning a party believed to have won majority of votes by Nigerians but was denied victory by the Nigerian system was a mischief carried too far.
“Okupe is aware that the Labour Party is ideologically rooted in the left of the centre and he admitted that he has been a rightist and a Liberal Democrat all his entire life, one wonders what he was looking for in a party that is opposed to his ideological leaning.
“What kind of political harlotry was he exhibiting by finding no qualms in jumping from one party to another with such ease.
“His exit from Labour Party is not in any way surprising to us. In the true character of traditional politicians who move from one place to another, he was in PDP, from PDP to APC and then the Labour Party and we won’t be surprised if he goes back to his vomit and embraces either APC or PDP all over again. It is all about where food is ready.
“Labour Party is an ideological party, it has a clear-cut ideology which supports equal opportunity and social justice. It is specifically not a place for people like Doyin Okupe.
“Our system in the Labour Party does not support political opportunists. The system will naturally expose such political characters and eject them.
“I ask again, had Labour Party declared winner of the presidential election, will Okupe remain with the party or jump ship in adherence to his ideological leaning.
“We must recall that Okupe was forced to abdicate office half way into the campaign because of the baggages he came with from the other party where he served.
“The courts whipped him into early political menopause, so he really didn’t contribute much into the Labour Party’s success in the 2023 electoral voyage, however we are glad he acknowledged that we offered him shelter.
“Finally, the leadership of the Labour Party wishes him well in his future political adventure. We will however remain positive that a new Nigeria is still possible.”
