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Tag: LP

  • Crisis in Kwara LP over alleged imposition of governorship candidate

    A chieftain of the Labour Party (LP) in Kwara State, Mr Abdulhakeem Amao, has accused the leadership of the party of imposition of Dr Mike Omotosho as the flag bearer of the party.

    Speaking with journalists in Lagos, Amao, who is also a gubernatorial aspirant of the party, said the leadership of Kwara LP manipulated the outcome of its governorship primary in favour of Omotosho, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He said: “I won the gubernatorial primary of Kwara LP which was witnessed by over 200 delegates of the party in November 2014.I was the sole aspirant and I became the flag bearer of the party following the unanimous decision of the delegates of the party.

    “There were four officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) present during the primary and the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the outcome of the exercise is with INEC as we speak. I was then shocked to discover that my name had been replaced with that of one Mike Omotosho, who defected to our party a few weeks after losing the contest for the PDP’s governorship ticket.”

    In his response, the secretary of Kwara State chapter of LP, Mr Abdulkareem Onagun said Amao’s allegations were not true.

    “He did not get the ticket. He was supposed to fulfil some necessary requirements before he could become our flag bearer but he did not. He was asked to pay N6.5 million for nomination form but he did not pay. He kept promising us endlessly and because of that, the national leadership of the party in Abuja asked our state chairman, Mr Babalola Johnson to pick the form pending the time we would get another interested person that would be willing to pay for the nomination form.

  • PDP loses six Senators to APC, LP

    At least six Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators have dumped the party to join forces with the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Labour Party (LP).

    The defection of the senators to the opposition parties was said to be fallout of the controversial PDP primary elections.

    PDP governors in collaboration with the national party leadership were alleged to have hijacked primary elections to the disadvantage of senators.

    One of the defecting lawmakers, Senator Atiku Bagudu Abubakar representing Kebbi Central joined the APC.

    Abubakar received APC ticket to contest the governorship election in Kebbi State.

    Senator Bassey Out, who represents Cross River South Senatorial District, is another defector.

    Otu defected to the LP to actualize his ambition for re-election to the Senate.

    Otu is said to be popular in his constituency which is why most of his constituents are said to be clamouring for him to go back to the Senate.

    He was denied PDP ticket in place of Chief Geshom Bassey, Chairman of the State Water Board.

    Otu, however, settled down with the LP where he has become the party’s candidate for the February 14, Senatorial election for Cross River South.

    A former National Chairman of the PDP, Senator Barnabas Gemade who had a running battle with Governor Gabriel Suswan of Benue State on who should fly the flag of the

    PDP for the Benue North East Senatorial District, is also another defector.

  • APC, PDP, LP, AP battle for Senate in Oyo

    APC, PDP, LP, AP battle for Senate in Oyo

    Unlike in 2011, when the senatorial race across the three districts in Oyo State was among three political parties-the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Accord Party (AP), four parties – All Progressives Congress (APC),  Labour Party (LP), PDP and AP – are fielding candidates for the parliamentary elections. BISI OLADELE examines the strengths and weaknesses of the flag bearers and their chances at the polls. 

    Four parties-the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party (LP) and the Accord Party (AP)-are warming up for senatorial elections in Oyo State.

    In Oyo North, Oyo Central and Oyo South districts, there is enthusiasm among the stakeholders. The only obstacle to a successful poll now is the lack of Permanent Voter’s Cards. The distributions of the cards was not successful in Oyo State.

    The senatorial election will be very interesting because of the defections across platforms. Those who contested on the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in 2011 are now flag bearers in the AP and the PDP. Those who fell out with the PDP and the APC are now vying on the platform of the AP and LP.

    There are three serving senators in the race. They are experienced politicians. But, they will work hard to retain their seats because new entrants are also working to dislodge them.

    The three senators are Olufemi Lanlehin (Accord), Ayoola Agboola (PDP) and Ayoade Adeseun (PDP). Lanlehin and Adeseun defected from the APC to their new parties.

    Oyo Central

    This struggle for the Senate is expected to be tough in this district. This is because the district cuts across three major towns of Ibadan, Oyo and Ogbomoso. Adeseun, who hails from Ogbomoso, currently occupies the seat.

    But, the Speaker of the  Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Monsurat Sunmonu, has picked the APC ticket to contest the position. She will face Adeseun and Chief Oyebisi ilaka, the Ladilu of Oyo, at the poll. Ilaka is the Accord Party flag bearer. Sunmonu and Ilaka hail from Oyo town.

    In the LP, where former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala calls the shots, Comrade Olu Abiala is the flag bearer.

    Sunmonu

    Sunmonu is an astute lawmaker. A former employee of the British Immigration Service, she returned to Nigeria in 2010 to join politics. She is representing Oyo East/Oyo West Constituency in the House of Assembly.

    Her tenure witnessed unprecedented peace in the House, judging by the vices that have assailed the parliament since 1999. This has shored up her popularity in the district and the entire state.

    The APC and Accord zoned the senatorial slot to Oyo because it is the only town in the district that has not produced a senator since 1999.

    Besides, the APC is waxing stronger in two local governments in Ibadan among the five that make up the district in the capital city. They are Lagelu and Akinyele.

    With her grassroots style and gender appeal, Sunmonu stands a better chance in the race.

    Yet, she faces a hurdle in Oyo, her home town, where Ilaka is also a major contender.

     Ilaka

    A United Kingdom-trained tax consultant, Ilaka contested and lost to Adeseun in 2011. But, the fortune of Accord has risen in the last two years in Oyo, making him a strong contender once again.

    The candidates fielded by Accord are mostly riding on the fame of Senator Rashidi Ladoja, who is well known in the state. With the possibility of getting reasonable votes in Oyo, Ilaka is also likely to enjoy Ladoja’s goodwill is some parts of Ibadan.

    But, it is doubtful if the Oyo chief will garner enough votes to emerge as the winner.

    Adeseun

    Adeseun was a member of the House of Representatives. In 1999, he was a member of the Alliance for Democracy. In 2003, he defected to the PDP. In 2011, he was a Chieftain of the ACN. Until recently, he was an APC leader in the district.

    The senator is back in the race after losing the governorship ticket to Senator Teslim Folarin. He is popular across the district. He is an experienced politician. Adeseun has been reaching out to his constituents through constituency projects.

    As an experienced politician, the senator is counting on his goodwill among constituents. The PDP is also depending on the federal might. Folarin’s strength in some parts of Ibadan is also an advantage.

    Yet, Adeseun may find it tougher this time. The PDP’s popularity has declined in the state. The dwindling fortune has reflected in the way it was defeated in the 2011 general elections, in spite of power of incumbency. The crisis generated by its primaries this year has not been resolved.

    In Ogbomoso, his home town, three people are vying for both governorship and senatorial seats on the platforms of different parties. While Alao-Akala is vying under the Labour Party, Hon. Fatai Buhari is the APC’s senatorial candidate for Oyo North. He is the third candidate from the town. Obviously, votes in the town will be divided across the three lines. Adeseun is not likely to pull any meaningful votes in Oyo and two other local governments in Ibadan. He will count on the PDP’s strength in Ona-Ara, Oluyole and perhaps, Egeda local governments to get votes. With the odds against him, it is believed that the senator faces a huge hurdle to retain his seat.

    Abiala

    The LP candidate, Comrade Olu Abiala, will slug it out with the three. Abiala, a renowned labour unionist ,is in partisan politics for the first time. The election will be an uphill task for the former Secretary o the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT),  Oyo State chapter. He hails from Ibadan.

    Oyo South  Lanlehin

    The senator joined Accord earlier this year. He is a well-known politician. He hopes to coast into victory with his power of incumbency and popularity. He may also enjoy some goodwill in Ibadan because of Ladoja.

    But, Lanlehin, who rode to victory,on the crest of the ACN, may not find it smooth this time. The political space is more polarised today while the APC is working harder daily to win more voters. Besides, some APC members and other stakeholders believe that Lanlehin should have waited in the party to pick the governorship ticket after Governor Abiola Ajimobi leaves office. This may also work against him. His major huddle is the APC. Besides, there are some people who are not happy over his defection.

    Soji Akanbi

    The APC candidate, Soji Akanbi, is an experienced politician. He was a governorship aspirant in 2011.  Since he picked the APAC ticket, Akanbi has been working to entrench himself within and outside the party across the senatorial district. A follower of the late Alhaji Lam Adesina, the former governor of the state,  Akanbi is close to key players in the Lam Adesina political family.

    His party is an added advantage because it is popular in the district.

    But, Akanbi must work very hard to defeat Lanlehin. He will need to warm himself into the hearts of voters outside the camp because they will ultimately decide who emerges the senator.

    Adedeji Otiti

    The PDP candidate relies mostly on her party and gender appeal to win the election. The PDP candidate in the 2011 election, Kamorudeen Adedibu, was defeated by the incumbent.

    Otiti is only relatively known in the political circle. Her political experience is doubtful. But, she may be a candidate of the future.

    Akinyo

    Nurudeen Akinyo, who recently defected to the LP, is new in Oyo politics. He was a Special Adviser to Governor Abiola Ajimobi. Although he hails from Ibadan, Akinyo will have to cover several miles in popularity to win the election,

    Oyo North Agboola

    The candidate of the PDP, Senator Ayoola Agboola, is the candidate to beat in this district. He is a grassroots politician and he is entrenched in the district. The power of incumbency may also count for him.

    But, Agboola faces a huge hurdle in his Oke-Ogun Constituency because the LP candidate, Hon. Tajudeen Abisodun Kareem, who is representing Atibo/Saki East/West in the House of Representatives, is also a grassroots mobiliser. Both of them were with Alao-Akala, but Kareem followed his boss to LP.

    Agboola faces a tough time in the three local governments in Ogbomoso where Alao-Akala delivered for him in 2011.

    Buhari

    Hon. Fatai Buhari is a former member of the House of Representatives. He is the Commissioner for Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs. He relies on his popularity and that of his party, the APC, in Oke-Ogun and Ogbomoso to win the election. Besides, the party,  zoned the position to Ogbomoso.

    But, Buhari will need to work extremely hard to win the three councils in Ogbomoso where Alao-Akala also hails from. He also needs to work very hard to garner enough votes in Oke-Ogun to win the election.

  • ‘LP ‘ll adopt another party’s presidential candidate’

    ‘LP ‘ll adopt another party’s presidential candidate’

    THE Labour Party (LP) has explained why it would not be fielding any presidential candidate for next year’s election.

    The party has, however, set up a committee to scrutinise all the other parties’ presidential candidates with the view to endorse one from the 11 candidates listed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the February election.

    For the other elective positions,  LP said it has submitted the names of its candidates, including  Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo State); Chief Great Ogboru (Delta State); Amb Bagudu Hirse (Plateau State) among others, for the governorship elections.

    The National Secretary of LP, Dr. Kayode Ajulo, told journalists at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that the party’s decision on the presidential candidate was based on principle.

    According to him: “LP as at the close of submission of candidates to INEC did not field presidential candidate. This is not an oversight, but part of our strategies and principles as a socialist and realist party. If we must field a presidential candidate, we must field the candidate to win and not to merely participate in the election as some parties are doing.

    “Certainly our voice will count in choosing the next President for Nigeria. We are the beautiful bride in Nigerian politics. We are being wooed by President Jonathan’s Peoples Democratic Party and General Buhari’s All Progressives Congress (APC) as well as other presidential hopefuls.”

    Ajulo also urged Nigerians to rise up by not allowing politicians to continue to take them for granted, stressing that they must not vote for parties that are against the people.

  • 500 APGA, LP members defect to PPA

    five hundred members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Labour Party (LP) from Nnewi South and Aguata local government areas of Anambra State yesterday defected to the Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA).

    The defection took place at Ekwulobia Township Stadium in Aguata Local Government.

    PPA was led by its state leader, Chief Godwin Ezeemo. Flags were presented to the candidates, who won the primary elections.

    Ezeemo urged the people to vote for the party, saying it would improve their welfare.

    “The indigenes have become disenchanted with what is happening in APGA, PDP and other parties. They want a reliable party. This is why they are defecting to the PPA,” he said.

    Enjoining the people to vote for PPA candidates, Ezeemo noted: “We are here today to showcase our candidates by giving them flags.”

    Receiving his flag from the leader, the House of Assembly candidate from Nnewi South, who led half of the defectors to the arena, said: “Because of what is happening in APGA, selection instead of election, we have to leave the party for PPA where one is given the opportunity to contest.”

    He said PPA would provide a level-playing field and urged the aggrieved to defect to the party.

    The House of Representatives candidate for Aguata Federal Constituency, Mrs. Angela Okoye, said she joined PPA to enable her give the dividends of democracy to the people, adding that she had been helping people.

    Mr. Geoffrey, who defected from the LP and is contesting for Aguata North seat in the House of Assembly and Mr. Clinton Vitus Amara, who is vying for the Nnewi II seat in the House, vowed to provide dividends of democracy to the people.

    He hailed Ezeemo for using his money to build the party.

  • I’ll make Ebonyi vibrant, says LP candidate

    I’ll make Ebonyi vibrant, says LP candidate

    The governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Ebonyi State, Mr. Edward Nkwegu, has promised to make the state vibrant, if elected.

    Nkwegu, the chairman of EDON Group Ltd, spoke at Nkwegu Ugbala grand arena in Abakaliki.

    He said his administration would be anchored on a six- point consolidation agenda, which included: “Rapid industrialisation, modern agriculture, infrastructure reinforcement, job creation, human capital development, gender equity and adequate healthcare.”

    Nkwegu, an architect, said he would prioritise security and peace.

    His words: “My administration will create jobs to reduce unemployment among youths.

    “Increased industrialisation will bring stability to the state’s economy. I will establish three industrial estates in each of the three zones.

    “I will ensure the provision of viable and profitable business alternatives for the indigenes, which will be attractive.”

  • Over 2, 000 dump LP, PDP for APC in Ondo

    As rumours made the rounds that Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko would defect to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state has been gaining more defectors from the ruling party.

    Over 2, 000 Labour Party (LP) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in Ore in Odigbo Local Government Area of the state dumped their parties and pitched their tents with the APC.

    The aggrieved defectors said they were worried about their political futures since Mimiko was yet to clarify where he will likely be by 2015 elections.

    A PDP Chieftain, Akin Akinbodunde said his followers have vowed not to stay in the same party with Mimiko, saying that more members of the PDP across the state would soon dump the.

    An LP member, Festus Arakanye said they decided to dump LP because they had vowed not to follow the governor to the PDP.

    Arakanye said after a wide consultation with his followers, they all agreed that APC remains the best platform for them to continue their political journey.

    Receiving the defectors, a Chieftain of APC, Mr Morayo Lebi praised the decamped individual for taking the decision on their political futures.

    Lebi, who is eyeing the APC ticket for the Ondo Southern Senatorial District assured them that APC would give them equal treatment.

    The APC chieftain, who had been touring the six local government areas in his senatorial district, said his intention was to transform the areas if elected in the 2015 general elections.

    Lebi added that he is aware of the suffering of his people, even as he promised to give them quality representation. He also promised that if elected, he would attract Federal Government projects to his constituency.

    He said his focus would be youths’ and women empowerment.

  • ‘LP ‘ll rule Ogun State in 2015’

    Ogun State Labour Party (LP) senatorial aspirant Otunba Olumide Osunsin in this interview with Musa Odoshimokhe speaks on his ambition and the chance of the party in next year’s election.

    What is your assessment of the political situation in Ogun State?

    Ogun State political situation is very fluid. It is flowing here and there, and it is neither here nor there. But, I can say to you that there are three forces playing out right now in Ogun State. We have the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP) and of course, the unregistered Action Group of Nigeria (AGN) led by Chief Segun Osoba. What I can say to you now is that  the PDP is a discredited party in so many ways. You heard what Chief Olusegun Obasanjo said, but I am not going to quote him. So, the parties that I would say are in contention for power in Ogun State for the next election are the LP, the APC and of course, the AGN led by Akogun Osoba. We believe that Osoba has been a progressive all his life. We are very sure and looking at his antecedents. He will never go to the PDP. Otherwise, all that he had laboured for and represents in his political life will go down the drain. We believe he is a progressive, we believe he wants to work for the people of Ogun State. We believe he represents the aspirations of workers, students, market women and the downtrodden people of Ogun State. He is a respected person in the state. we are sure that the party that Osoba represents is the LP. We have no doubt in our mind that he will come and take over the leadership of the party and organise it to win the next election in Ogun State. We have no doubt in our minds, that the LP will form the next government in Ogun State for obvious reasons. And of course, like I said, all that needs to be done now is for the party that represents the aspirations of civil servants, students, workers and market women to take charge, which is the LP. It does not matter how old the party is, all we are looking for is a leader that will lead us to our destination and we believe that Akogun Osoba will do that for us.

    Are you saying that the party in power has not been doing what you have highlighted?

    I can say it to you without mincing words that Governor Ibikunle Amosun is doing his best. I can say without mincing words because I am speaking as a citizen of Ogun State. Like I said, I represent the aspirations of the other people. He has done fairly well, but I can say that he has not met the mark. Development and governance is about taking care of all the wishes and aspirations of the majority. I don’t think that has been the case. They have not carried more people along. He is a man I respect, but like I said, I will not to criticise him outrightly, but to comment on some of the things he has done. He tried very well to do so many things very quickly, but the political setting tends not to follow the pattern. Politics is about spending the commonwealth for the majority of the people. If we all have a common amount of money, our needs are obviously different, but  our basic needs ought to be taken care of. And if you are spending money on the people’s need you have to balance it. If you spend all the money building houses, others whose needs are different from housing will grumble because they have been neglected. That is the scenario and analogy of what is happening in Ogun State. Governor Amosun has concentrated on certain areas, which does not represent what everybody wants.

    What is your ambition in next year’s election?

    My first ambition is to run a government that represents the aspirations of the people. Stakeholders in the state believe that things should be done in certain ways. I want to try to put myself in certain position to be able to make that happen. My second aspiration is that, if it possible, I am aspiring to become a senator in Ogun Central in next election. But, my priority is to put in place a government in Ogun State that represents the generality of what the people of Ogun State want. A government that represents what the workers want, what the civil servants want, what the students want and what the market women want. There so much poverty in the state, despite our closeness to Lagos State. It should not be so. There is still so much poverty, the level of investment is still extremely low. These are the issues there right now.

    How solid is the structure of the LP in Ogun State?

    I have been asked that question lots of time. The structure of a party is a function of what many parts represent. Structure can emerge as quickly as you want it to emerge. There are many people in the strata of our society, who are ready to lead, if given the opportunity. What has happened in the past was that leadership has not been allowed to thrive. If you go to any of the old parties, the PDP and the APC people who served at the wards or council level to the state level are the same set of people still leading. They have been leading in the last 30 or 40 years. What we want now is a young and vibrant new set of people right from the wards level to state level. We are creating a completely brand new structures. We don’t have shortage of people who can lead. There are thousands of people who want to lead. What we want and we are sure of is that God in His infinite mercy will give us is that opportunity, to set up a brand new structure. The old structure is corrupted and we don’t like the way they are doing things. Right from the ward level through the state level, young vibrant people will be given the opportunity to express themselves. The LP structure is a very strong. Traditionally, the doctrine of LP is to represent the ordinary people. So, we do not have shortage of people who can serve.

    Don’t you see the defection of Governor Mimiko, Gbenga Daniel and his supporters as a minus for LP?

    I will say absolutely no. The truth is that, when you move from one party to the other, it shows you are not consistent. If you believe in a cause, it is very difficult for you to change very quickly. Aremo Osoba has been a progressive all his life and he cannot change to conservative. The people who believe in the doctrine of the LP still remain in the LP. Don’t forget that politicians are only one per cent of the electoral process; the other 99 per cent are still there. Some of them have decided while some have not decided. We will have the opportunity to present our programme to the others who have not gone anywhere. They are going to decide our fate. Anything that you should not worry about is that big names don’t win election in Ogun State. The trends are there for you to see. Osoba was defeated as a sitting governor, Gbenga Daniel was defeated as a sitting governor, when he tried to install a governor. Dimeji Bankole was defeated as a sitting Speaker. So, the trends are there for you to see in Ogun State. In spite of his wealth, M.K.O Abiola could not win an election, until he went to a party that the people perceived as progressives. We know how it works in Ogun State. People moving from one place to the other is a normal trend in politics, we should expect it. We are still going to have a lot of people move. The truth is that if we lose some people and we gain Segun Osoba, I will let you answer that question whether we lost or gain?

    What have you done for the people that makes you think they will vote for you?

    I have done quite a lot of things, in the sense that if you look at my antecedents I am a private sector driven person. I have noticed that the reason why there is so much poverty is because the quality and level of investment is extremely low. As I speak to you today, I employ well over 266 people. I am not in government. The estate where this interview is being conducted I developed it. This is not the only estate I have developed. I have developed several others. One of my reasons of going into politics is to continue doing what I do every day, which is creating and building new cities. So, we know how to provide roads, supply water, provide electricity and know how to manage community. That is what I have been doing in the last 15 years. There are no sitting governors that have that kind of experience. I have awarded contract to PWD, Julius Barger even as a private person. I have built communities. Our activities have made a lot of people extremely rich; this is what they have achieved through investment in property.

    What is your perception about the Senate that you are aspiring to  and why are you starting your political career from there?

    What has always been in my mind is to run for the governorship of Ogun State. But, when I look at all that is involved that the stakeholders will come after you because you are holding the resources and you are going to be allocating it, I believe in my mind that I still need more tutelage. Even Otunba Gbenga Daniel encouraged me to run for the office in the past, but I did not think that way. The Senate is about law making and I believe with what my exposure, it would be a fairly good place to start. I want a place that will enable me to spread my message nationally.

  • We won’t recognise Akure LP’s convention, says NLC

    We won’t recognise Akure LP’s convention, says NLC

    Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said it will not accept any leadership emerging from Saturday’s National Convention of the Labour Party (LP).

    The convention elected the LP’s former National Chairman, Dan Nwanyanwu, as the Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees.

    NLC General Secretary Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson told The Nation in a telephone interview that the workers’  body would not accept any leadership that emerged from the Akure convention, which he described as flawed.

    The NLC, he added, would come out with a definite position within the week after due consultation with the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and other stakeholders on the way forward.

    He noted that the LP was founded by the unions, adding that they were not parties to whatever came out of the convention, which took place in Akure.

    But the NLC and the TUC had, at a news conference two days to the convention, said that they would not accept attempt at making the LP an appendage of another political party.

    The unions said they were against a governor who belongs to another party sponsoring and hosting the national convention of LP.

    They called for the postponement of the convention for stakeholders to meet and decide on another venue and date for the convention, asking all members of the party to ignore the call to go to Akure to attend the convention.

  • Shun national convention, LP tells members

    Shun national convention, LP tells members

    The national leadership of the Labour Party (LP) yesterday warned members, particularly those seeking elective offices, to be wary of the planned national convention of the LP slated for this Friday in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

    The party alleged that the convention is being sponsored by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to collapse LP nationwide and railroad members into its (PDP’s) fold with the connivance of Governor Olusegun Mimiko.