Ogun State chapter of the Labour Party on Thursday expelled the director-general of Obi-Datti presidential campaign council, Doyin Okupe, and 11 others over membership dues.
The party’s state executive council announced this during a press conference, stating that Okupe and others violated the party’s constitution.
Those that were expelled alongside Okupe include Abayomi Collins, Abel Olaleye, Jagun Lookman, Oluwabukola Soyoye, Gbadebo Fesomade, (former state treasurer) and Abdulmalik Olaleye (former state youth leader).
Others are Jide Amusan (former state publicity secretary) Adeshina Shojobi (former assistant state youth leader), Deborah Adewale, (former senatorial women leader Ogun East) and Olatunde Abolade (former assistant state secretary).
Addressing reporters in Abeokuta, the state chairman Michael Ashade and secretary Feyisola Michael said Okupe and others refused to pay their membership dues despite repeated reminders.
He asked the national chairman of the party Julius Abure and the party’s presidential candidate Peter Obi to obey the party’s constitution by relieving Okupe of his position immediately and appoint his replacement who should come from the north to reflect federal character and political balance.
Ashade hinged the action on Article 9(3)xi of the party’s constitution providing that “only fully registered and financially up-to-date members of the party shall have the right to vie for office in the Ward Executive, Local Government Area Executive, State Executive Councils and the National Working Committee of the Party or be a delegate to the Congresses and the National Convention.”
He said, “Article 9(3) iii of our Party’s Constitution states as follows: ‘Only members who pay their monthly membership dues at rates prescribed shall be deemed to be bona fide members of the party. Arrears of dues of up to six months shall lead to forfeiture of membership.’”
He further warned that legal action would be taken against Abure and Obi if they fail to relieve Okupe of his position in the party’s campaign council.
