All is not well with Ogun State political landscape as defection, intra-party rancour, and factions keep emerging in the state, but the controversy in the state’s Labour Party over the authentic executive committee of the party may be finally over.
This came as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the true owner of the Labour Party, endorsed the faction of Sunday Oginni, who was once the National Coordinator of Yoruba Youth Congress (YYC).
Oginni had in an interview with Daily Independent last year praised Otunba Gbenga Daniel as an enigma in Ogun state politics, saying his administration was better that the present “clueless government” in Ogun state. However, things went sour in the party and two factions emerged, one led by Oginni and the other loyal to former governor Otunba Gbemga Daniel.
The controversy continued in the party as the National Working Committee of the party earlier in the year suspended Oginni over “breach of the provision of constitution by falsely assuming official party titles; giving wrong, false and misleading information to organs of the party in Ogun State; causing to be publicised party-related grievances without exhausting all avenues of settlement; and taking the party and its officials to court without following the laid down procedures under the constitution.”
The NLC however, in a letter titled letter of introduction of Labour Party officials in Ogun State, signed by national president Waheed Omar and addressed to the state Chairman of the NLC Akeem Ambali, said it has chosen Sunday Oginni and Abayomi Arabanbi as the officials of the party.
“This is to introduce to you the gentlemen, comrade Oginni Olaposi and comrade Abayomi Arabambi, both of whom are Ogun State Labour authentic officials,” the letter read in part.
“We had very useful discussion on how to move the party forward. Sequel to the discussion of congress NEC in Enugu on repositioning the labour party.
“I hereby urge you to please discuss and work with them towards realising the NEC’s resolve,” Omar said.
Despite the position of the NLC, the Labour Party in the state however maintained that Oginni, who claimed to be the secretary of the party is an “interloper and impostor.who has no locus standi to arrogate such position to himself.”
“It is crystal clear that Sunday Oginni is disillusioned and confused, adding that the fact remains that our leader, the former governor has the mandate and support of the entire leadership of the party as well as the state executive committee of the party to discuss and liaise with individuals, groups and political parties with the common objective of AMG. It therefore, points to the fact that the author of the statement has a different clandestine objective,” said Deji Kalejaye, Labour Party Publicity Secretary in a statement.
“For clarity purpose, Hon Prince Dapo Adeyemi is the validly elected secretary of Ogun State Labour Party through the popular congress conducted in March, 2014.”
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