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Tag: LP

  • Peter Obi’s PCC Bayelsa coordinator dumps LP for PDP

    Peter Obi’s PCC Bayelsa coordinator dumps LP for PDP

    Ahead of the November 11 governorship election in Bayelsa state, former State coordinator of Peter Obi Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), Comrade Alagoa Morris, has dumped the Labour Party (LP) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Morris, an environmental rights activist and Environmental Right Action and Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), made the shocking defection on Wednesday, August 30, and pitched a tent with the incumbent Governor Douye Diri, the candidate of the PDP.

    The activist, who worked for the presidential ambition of Peter Obi, said he has abandoned the LP candidate in the state, Udengs Eradiri for Governor Douye Diri.

    According to Morris, Governor Diri has done so many good things that are not even in the public domain and needs to be totally supported to get re-elected to continue in his good work.

    Morris said: “I decided to support the incumbent governor because he is the best among the major contenders. Looking at the available candidates on the ground for the November 11 election, Diri is the only one who should be supported.

    Read Also: Furore over Peter Obi’s alleged cash gift to Rufai Oseni

    “I was not a member of the Labour Party before they appointed me the state coordinator and that job has been completed since, so life goes on.  

    “I was with Governor Douye Diri yesterday and looking at the candidates that are available, I believe he is the one that we need to support. This is because when anybody comes in now, what they will tell us is that they meet an empty treasury. Therefore, this one that is already working with development partners and other stakeholders, should be allowed to continue.

    “Diri has done a lot of things that are not in the public domain and even those that are in the public domain he cannot be perfect but I think he is trying, so we have to support him to continue.”

  • Former Benue NUJ Chairman wins LP ticket

    Mr Kris Atsaka, former  Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Benue Council has emerged the Labour Party (LP) candidate for 2019 State House of Assembly election .

    The former NUJ Chairman will contest election  and if elected, will represent the Benue Makurdi South Constituency.

    Announcing the results of LP primaries, Mr John Odoh, the Electoral Officer for Makurdi South State Constituency said Mr Kris Atsaka pulled 28 votes to defeat Matthew Chameh who scored 4 votes.

    Read Also: AbduSalam to NLC: You’re not the owner of Labour Party

    He said the total number of delegates and votes were 32, adding that the “process was free, fair and credible “.

    In his acceptance speech, Atsaka promised a fair representation for the growth and development of the state,if elected in 2019 election.

    He thanked all members of the public, his colleagues in Journalism and unionists for their support.

    Atsaka, from the Voice Newspaper, Makurdi, was NUJ Chairman from 2011 -2018 where he served for two terms.

    NAN

  • NLC, LP kick as Mimiko declares for president

    The immediate past Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, yesterday declared his intention to contest for the President in next year’s general elections on the platform of the Labour Party (LP).

    But the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) rejected plan by former National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Abdulkadir Abdulsalam (Salam), to adopt the former governor as the party’s presidential flagbearer.

    NLC President Ayuba Wabba and Labour Party’s (LP’s) National Publicity Secretary, Mrs Ebere Ifendu, expressed their opposition to Mimiko’s ambition at a joint media briefing yesterday in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

    Wabba said: “It is not possible for Mimiko to run under the LP. We want to say ‘no’ to that, as Mimiko has no business as a member of LP.

    “The party is registered by the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Market Women Association and students. They registered the party and the certificate is with the NLC General Secretary.

    “Therefore, bringing money to buy the party or its structure will not work. We do not share the same ideology with him. It is a party with a difference.

    “Therefore, I want to call on Minimko once again to make sure he get his hands off the party. A. A. Salam cannot continue to function as the chairperson of the party.”

    Mrs Ifendu warned Nigerians and political aspirants to disregard yesterday’s purported LP’s convention in Abuja.

    She said: “It has become necessary for the leadership of the LP to draw the attention of the public to the fraudulent collection of Expression of Interest and Nomination Form fees from innocent and unsuspecting political aspirants.

    “That is for those who desire to contest various elective positions under the LP through Alhaji A. A. Salam, the former national chairman of the party.

    “It would be recalled that A. A. Salam was removed at the special national convention of the party on October 3, last year.

    “This illegality was also confirmed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) report, presented by the three INEC officials that were detailed to supervise its conduct.”

    The LP National Publicity Secretary said the party’s counsel, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), had served the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), A. A. Salam and Julius Abure, the contempt of court summons.

    She warned them not to proceed with “the illegal party convention” or risk arrest.

    Mrs Ifendu said: “Credible information reaching us revealed that A. A. Salam has concluded arrangements to pull a rented crowd to declare Olusegun Mimiko as LP’s presidential candidate.

    “This illegal event is schedule to hold today (yesterday) in Abuja. This is a total violation of Article 27, Section 1, subsection i and ii of LP’s constitution.

    But at his declaration at the LP national headquarters in Abuja, Mimiko described the country as a graveyard of dreams, which should be changed to an incubation hub for great ideas.

    “It is high time we replicated over our country, that indomitable spirit of Nigerians, that spirit of accomplishment, which has made stars of individual Nigerians all over the world. The only way to do this is by electing capable hands. It is by electing a great President, that can drive this national vehicle to greatness.”

    He also listed his achievements as governor.

  • Mimiko declares for presidency

    The former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko has declared his interest to contest for Presidency in the 2019 general election.

    Mimiko made his declaration at the National Headquarters of the Labour Party with all LP National Executives and smaller political parties present in Abuja.

    The two-term former Governor is contesting under the platform of the Labour Party.

    He vowed to frontally attack corruption, end killings, injustice and restructure the country with great support from the youth.

    Read Also: My presidential ambition a rescue mission – Donald Duke

    According to him, “Restructuring is not about about North vs South, Muslim vs Christian. Restructuring will empower every parts of Nigeria. Development will be unleashed in every part.”

    He added that, “There is enough landmass to feed Africa.”

    Mimiko assured women of inclusion and promised to work with any other party willing to join his political ambition.

  • Ondo youths dump LP for APC

    Scores of youths from the six local government areas in the southern senatorial district of Ondo State have defected from the Labour Party (LP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The youths were received by the State Chairman, Ade Adetimehin, who was at the venue in Irele, headquarters of Irele Local Government area.

    The chairman who was represented by his deputy, Agabra Atili, congratulated them for taking a wise decision, and assured them of proper integration.

    The exercise was facilitated by the representative of the senatorial district at the upper chamber of the national assembly, Senator Yele Omogunwa.

    The defectors decried what they called “gross neglect” by the LP, which they adduced as the crux of their annoyance, and subsequent defection.

    The coordinator of the Aviary Youth Vanguard, Coastal Region, Oluwarotimi Omoge, said they decided to join the APC because of the sincerity of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Omoge appealed to the state leadership of the party to concede to members of the group councillorship positions in their respective political wards.

     

  • LP to deliver 16m votes to Buhari

    The National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Dr. Mike Omotoso, said yesterday that  the party would deliver about 16 million votes to President Muhammadu Buhari in next year’s presidential election.

    Omotoso, the 2015 governorship candidate of the party in Kwara State, spoke in Ilorin at the launch of canvassers for President Buhari’s re-election.

    Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed had hinted that the President’s re-lection would be boosted by no less than 16 million votes through the administration’s feeding programme for school pupils.

    The LP chairman said the party was discussing with the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He added that the party would deliver workers’ votes to the President.

    Omotoso said: “No man is God. This is the time to bail our people out of political bondage.

    “However, our terms with APC must align with the ideals of the workers, as the party is that of the downtrodden and the masses.”

    The Interim Caretaker Chairman of APC, Bashir Bolarinwa, urged members to support Mohammed, as he is the leader of the party in the state.

    He said: “With that we will capture power from a hegemony that has over the years held us hostage.

    “We must not allow ourselves to be deceived by the blackmails and lies against President Buhari.

    Prophets are not respected in their homes. What happened in 1985 when he was overthrown must not happen in 2019.”

     

     

  • Kalu, LP, Aremu hail ex-Edo governor’s victory

    FORMER Abia State Governor Orji Kalu, General Secretary, National Union of Textile Garments and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN) Comrade Issa Aremu and Labour Party (LP) have described the emergence of former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomole, as All Progressives Congress (APC) national chairman as good for the party and Nigeria’s democracy.

    Kalu, while acknowledging the contributions of the former president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to the social and political development of Nigeria, stressed that Oshiomole’s antecedents in labour unionism will continue to speak volumes for him.

    The chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) called on the party stakeholders to rally support for the new helmsman in his vision to take the party to greater heights ahead of the 2019 general election.

    In a statement issued by his Special Adviser, Kunle Oyewumi, Kalu said: “The emergence of Oshiomole as consensus candidate and subsequently as National Chairman of the APC is a right step in the right direction.

    “Over the years, Comrade Oshiomole had demonstrated intellectual capacity and political dexterity in different national assignments.

    “The new national chairman, will no doubt, reposition the party for greater success.

    LP’s National Chairman Dr. Mike Omotosho, in a statement yesterday, said he was optimistic that Oshiomhole’s leadership qualities would positively impact on the APC.

    The statement reads: “I wish to congratulate you, my dear friend and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole on your emergence as the new national chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) with familiar recognition and esteemed mutuality.

    “Your legacies while as Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress, most of which still endures till today and your willingness to collaborate for the greater good is a testament to your dynamism as a labour leader, a legacy which still inspires the struggles and agenda of our great party till today.

    “I am sure that your tenure as National Chairman of the APC will push the party into a new direction- the people’s direction.”

    Aremu described Oshiohmole as a pride to the textile union and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

    Oshiohmole was the General Secretary of NUTGTWN for three decades (1982 to 2008) before he became twice elected NLC President from 1999 to 2007.

    Addressing reporters in Kaduna barely 48 hours after the APC national convention, Aremu said Oshiohmole is the most successful African labour leaders.

    He noted that the former NLC leader has commendably distinguished himself as a private sector unionist in the world of work, where in textile industry and in NLC he selflessly defended workers.

     

     

    He also noted that in larger society where through good governance, as former twice elected Edo State Governor, he had impacted positively on the welfare and security of the people.

    Aremu said: “We bear witness that Comrade Adams Oshiohmole as an organiser, bargainer, negotiator and statesman is an asset not just to the APC but to the entire country.”

     

     

     

     

  • Ex-governor rejoins LP today in Ondo West

    Barely four years after former Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko and his supporters dumped the Labour Party (LP) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the medical doctor-turned politician and his supporters will today re-join the LP.

    Mimiko is expected to visit his Ward 7 in Ondo West Local Government Area, where he will collect LP’s membership card.

    He aligned with the PDP before the 2015 presidential election, which Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won.

    The former governor, who had a brief parley with reporters in Ondo town, has officially resigned from the PDP.

    The letter reads: “I hereby with utmost humility inform you of my decision to resign my membership of the PDP with effect from today, June 13, 2018 for some well thought-out personal reasons.

    “It was an honour working with many prominent Nigerians whom I shared the PDP platform for the entire period I was there as a member.

    “Accept, please, the assurance of my very high regards.”

    Mimiko used the platform of the LP in 2007 to dislodge the late Governor Olusegun Agagu after winning Appeal Court verdict in Benin, the Edo State capital.

    He said: “I am conscious of my political history and determine to embrace new ideology.”

    According to him, politics is about choices, and God has the way of every step of human beings in life.

    The former governor recalled his political exploits as commissioner, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), minister, and two-term governor.

    He noted that his decision to move to the LP would be value-added, saying his exit from the PDP followed “comprehensive frustration”.

    PDP’s State Chairman Clement Faboyede, who served as Commissioner for Community Development and Cooperative Services in Mimiko’s administration, said his exit would not derail the main opposition party.

    According to him, the PDP leadership in the state and other stakeholders have done their best to change Mimiko’s mind to remain in the party but all proved futile.

    Mimiko started out as a member of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in 1999 and moved to the PDP where he was appointed a minister by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    He dumped the PDP for LP on whose platform he was elected governor.

    He left the LP in 2014 for the PDP and was a key campaigner for former President Goodcluk Jonathan’s re-election.

  • Crack in Ondo PDP as Mimiko is set to return to LP

    •Jegede, Kunlere, others: we ‘ll remain in PDP

    There is confusion in the camp of the Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the speculated move of former Governor Olusegun Mimiko to return to his former party, the Labour Party (LP), tomorrow.

    Mimiko used LP’s platform to dislodge the late Governor Olusegun Agagu from office through the verdict of the Appeal Court, which sat in Benin, the Edo State capital, on February 23, 2009.

    Sources hinted that the governorship candidate of the party in the last election, Eyitayo Jegede, his running mate, Prince John Ola-Mafo, former Commissioners – Kayode Akinmade, Dayo Awude and Jide Adejuyigbe – among others, have resolved to remain in the PDP.

    Also, the PDP State Chairman Clement Faboyede as well as long-time ally of the former governor, Tokunbo Modupe, said they would not align with their erstwhile political leader to return to the LP.

    A former Commissioner for Transport, Nicholas Tofowomo, as well as Adedayo Omolafe (aka Expensive), Adebayo Alarapon, Senator Boluwaji Kunlere, Chief Segun Adegoke, Chief Akintade, Sola Ebiseni, Remi Olatubora and Col. Omowa (retd) said they may not return to LP with the former governor.

    Other PDP chiefs who opposed Mimiko’s defection’s move are: former Ambassador to Greece and Australia, Prof. Olu Agbi; the immediate Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr Kola Ademujimi; the party’s Deputy National Chairman (Southwest), Dr. Eddy Olafeso, Benson Amuwa and immediate Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Femi Adekanbi.

    Contacted on phone to know whether he would join his former boss from the PDP to LP, Jegede, who burst into laughter, said: “I am a member of the PDP.”

    It was learnt that Mimiko had concluded arrangements to officially quit the PDP for the LP.

    Mimiko, who was governor between 2009 and 2017, will be returning with his teeming supporters to the party he left in 2014 ahead of the 2015 general elections.

    Prior to this latest development, there were speculations of his defection in the last few months.

    Mimiko had allegedly shunned PDP’s activities at the state and the national levels immediately the party lost the last governorship election in the state.

    It was learnt that his official declaration will hold at the Ondo Civic Centre in Ondo town.

    Sources said the development will signal the rebuilding of the structure of the LP, which they said collapsed into the PDP in 2014 ahead of the last presidential election.

    It was also learnt that few members of the State Executive Council (Exco) under the former governor, many of his former appointees, at least a federal lawmaker and three members of the House of Assembly will follow him to the LP.

    Those Exco members are to be led by former Deputy Governor Lasisi Oluboyo and former Commissioner for Works, Gboye Adegbenro, as well as others who are looking for a fresh platform to contest the 2019 general elections in the state.

    The three members of the House of Assembly who were said to plan to move with Mimiko to the LP are: former Majority Leader Dayo Akinsoyinu (Ondo West I), Ade Adeniyi (Ondo West II) and Siji Akindiose (Ondo East).

    The federal lawmaker believed to be on the train is a former major financier of the LP, Joseph Akinlaja, who represents Ondo East/Ondo West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

    A political observer, who spoke in confidence, said: “Mimiko needs to move to the LP to regain his political relevance at the national level.”

     

  • LP, SDP members defect to APC

    LP, SDP members defect to APC

    No fewer than 3,000 members from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Accord Party (AP), Labour  Party (LP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) have defected to the ruling All progressives Congress (APC) in Olorunsogo Local Government Area of Oyo State.

    Leading the defectors, a Medical Practitioner and PDP chieftain, Dr. Usman Bolaji Abdulfatai, said that they resolved to leave their respective parties to join the ruling APC, as a result of good works of President Muhammadu Buhari in governing  the country and as well as Senator Abiola Ajimobi in Oyo state.

    Other leaders of defectors were; a retired military officer, Sunday Alabi(old soldier), former secretary to the Local Government, Alhaji Jimoh Olajide (Oroo) and Hon. Seyi Bamikunle.

    The defectors were from all the ten (10) wards in the local government area of the State.

    The defectors who moved in thousands along the major roads, including; L.A. Primary school road, Idigba, Ibukun Olu area and Kishi –Ilorin road in the headquarters of the Local government with victory songs, before later assembled at NUD Primary School, Igbeti for their integration into the ruling party.

    President Buhari had declared that millions of Nigerian would soon join the ruling APC in order to record success for the party in the forthcoming general elections in the country.

    But, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had berated the President Buhari over the statement, saying that the ruling party would soon be empty, adding that those relied upon by the President would soon leave the APC to join the PDP in a bid to wrest power from unperforming administration of Buhari.

    Abdulfatai said the defectors have moved out of the bondage of four political parties, describing the parties as moribund. He noted that the achievements of APC in government of Oyo State nay Nigeria have silent their former parties’ leader.He therefore urged other politicians that remained in the listed parties to park their things and join the progressive ruling party for the betterment of the country and her citizens.

    Also speaking, Seyi Bamikunle and Sunday Alabi, disclosed that the need to leave their various parties necessitated by the lack of focus, vision and internal democracy within their respective parties.