Former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has not joined the Labour Party (LP) in Ogun State.
This was disclosed on Friday in a statement signed by former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) during Daniel’s first term in office, Sarafa Tunji Isola, former governorship candidate of the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN) during the 2011 election, Gboyega Nasir Isiaka and former Information Commissioner, Sina Kawonise.
The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to a press statement purportedly issued by a faction of the Labour Party, Ogun State.
“Having perused the contents of the statement, we wish to state as follows:
1. Otunba Gbenga Daniel is still being persuaded and lobbied to join Labour Party in Ogun State and provide effective organisation/ leadership accordingly. He is yet to join Labour Party. The issue of trial, discipline and expulsion cannot be applicable in this circumstance to Otunba Gbenga Daniel.
2. A faction of Labour Party, Ogun State purportedly adopted a candidate that is still a bonafide member of another party on the floor of the National Assembly. Article 9.1.ii of the Constitution of Labour Party forbids dual membership. This is a contravention of the Labour Party’s constitution.
3. The process of emergence of any candidate for a political party is as follows:
i. Fulfilling the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
ii. Compliance with the Electoral Act – this is still subject to amendment based on the outcome of the Constitution amendment which is on-going in the National Assembly.
iii. INEC to issue guidelines and timetable for the nominations of any candidate based on the Electoral Act and Amended Constitution.
iv. NEC of a Political party would issue guidelines for the emergence of party candidates.
v. (a) In Labour Party, Article 27 3(i) nomination for a Governorship candidate shall be by the State Congress of the party,
(b) when did the State Congress hold? Another contravention of the Labour Party’s Constitution.
“In conclusion, we have since discovered that the authors of the press statement are not elected officers of the Party.
“As ardent believers in the rule of law and orderliness, we condemn these unconstitutional actions in its entirety. This is our position”.
