Obi, myself, others used Labour Party as ‘special purpose vehicle’; now I quit: Okupe
The former director-general of the Obi-Datti campaign, Doyin Okupe, has dumped the Labour Party, saying he and the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, only used it as a “special purpose vehicle” to contest the 2023 general election.
Mr Okupe, who was at the forefront of Mr Obi’s presidential campaign, disclosed this in his resignation letter addressed to the LP on Monday.
“I submit herewith my letter of resignation from the Labour Party with effect from today,” Mr Okupe said. “You will recall that our flagbearer, Mr Peter Obi, myself and others left the PDP abruptly and had to look for a special purpose vehicle in which to contest the 2023 Presidential Elections.”
Mr Okupe said he was dumping the party based on ideological differences, describing himself as a rightist and a liberal democrat and the party as leftist.
“We did contest the election on the platform of the Labour Party and lost. This makes it exceedingly difficult for me to continue to stay in the Labour Party, which is ideologically rooted in the left of the centre.
“I have been a rightist and a liberal democrat all my entire life. It is, therefore, this ideological conflict that makes me seek an exit so that I may continue my political activities with liberalism, sincerity and freedom,” Mr Okupe said.
However, he appreciated the party and its leadership, stating, “I wish to thank you in particular, and other members of the leadership of the party for the cordiality and respect accorded to me as the director-general of the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Organisation.”
His resignation comes as lingering internal leadership tussle rocking the LP has split the party into two factions, almost a year after it lost the 2023 presidential race to Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress.
In 2022, Mr Okupe, 70, announced his withdrawal from Mr Obi’s campaign following his conviction for money laundering.
His conviction by the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court followed his prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for money laundering to the tune of N700 million.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Abuja
FCT court jails FCDA employee Kingsley Eselebor for defrauding neighbour in failed land deal
The judge ordered that the prison terms should run concurrently, without an option of a fine.
Heading 4
FG pays N1.2 trillion power debt, targets 19,000MW transmission capacity
Mr Tegbe said the payment formed part of broader efforts to address liquidity challenges.
Economy
Tinubu to present 2027 budget in December: Minister
The presentation will allow the National Assembly to begin reviewing the 2027 budget ahead of the fiscal year.
States
Troops foil terrorists’ attack in Sokoto, rescue two abducted herders in Zamfara
The rescued victims were subsequently handed over to the Sabon Birni Local Government authorities.
Heading 2
Jury finds Tommy Robinson guilty of harassing Daily Mail journalists
Mr Robinson made social media posts encouraging the protesters.
States
Estate surveyors urge members to embrace AI, emerging technologies
The lecturer urged practitioners to move beyond established practices.
