The Labour Party in Lagos State has announced the suspension of its state chairperson, Pastor Dayo Ekong, and another party official, Sam Okpala, over alleged gross misconduct and violation of the political group’s constitution.
In a statement after a meeting of the State Caretaker Executive Committee, the party also announced the dissolution of all Local Government and Ward Executive Committees across the state.
The decision, according to the statement, was to restore order and constitutional compliance within the party’s state structure. The statement was jointly signed by Rotimi Odunaike, Chairman of the Lagos State Caretaker Committee, and Dorcas I. Omorodion, Secretary of the Committee.
Pastor Ekong, who previously held the dual roles of State Chairman and National Financial Secretary of the party, was suspended for six months, with the party citing constitutional breaches and misconduct.
All members of the former state executive committee were also handed a six-month suspension for what the party described as “anti-party activities” and their failure to uphold the party’s constitution.
HOWEVER, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Abure-led faction has expressed concern over a recent statement credited to Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, in which he allegedly disparaged called for Abure’s arrest.
In a statement signed by the faction’s National Secretary, Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim, the party described the governor’s comments as “deeply regrettable” and a direct threat to the party’s leadership and democratic stability.
“While we would normally ignore such attacks -especially from individuals undergoing internal disciplinary processes – the persistent threats from Governor Otti and his allies have compelled us to call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and concerned Nigerians to intervene and restrain him,” the statement read.
The party recalled that Governor Otti had previously ordered the arrest of National Vice Chairman, Ceekay Igara, Abia State Chairman, Prince Ndubueze, and other party leaders during a meeting in Aba.
It also alleged that in April 2025, Otti issued “doomsday” threats during a meeting with dissident party elements in Abuja. The NWC described the governor’s latest demand for the arrest of Abure and other national officers over his purported suspension as a dangerous escalation that must not be ignored.
“It is both ironic and unfortunate that Governor Otti, who joined the Labour Party in 2022 after being rejected by other platforms, is now attacking the very leadership that facilitated his electoral victory,” the party said.
It emphasised that under Abure’s leadership, Otti was granted waivers, became the party’s gubernatorial candidate, and had his victory defended in court by the party.
LP also described Otti’s recent description of Abure as a “clown in search of a crown” as a crude distortion of history. On the legal status of its leadership, the party clarified that the recent Supreme Court ruling did not remove Abure as chairman. Rather, it reaffirmed that leadership disputes were internal party matters and not subject to judicial review.
