Labour Party Reads Riot Act To Aspirants Ahead Of Lagos Bye-Election

The Labour Party (LP) in Lagos State has read the riot act to all aspirants jostling for the party’s ticket ahead of the Surulere Federal Constituency I bye- election slated for August 19.

The Lagos State Chairperson of LP, Pastor Dayo Ekong, who addressed newsmen on Friday evening at the party’s state secretariat in Ikeja, cautioned  the aspirants against patronising illegal factions for the purchase of expression of interest and nomination forms.

She said the party was committed to justice, fairness and would organise a credible primary in order to produce a candidate capable of winning the election.

According to Pastor Ekong, there is now a clear departure from the old order in party administration and processes, in order to give everyone a deserved voice.

“The LP State Working Committee is standing distinct to make sure that the old order is removed, that the new order is put in place,” she said.

“I want to sound a note of warning because we know some people are parading themselves as Labour Party executives; there is only one Lagos State LP State Working Committee.

“If any aspirant falls prey and purchases forms from these illegal groups, he or she does it at his or her own peril. Be warned, don’t fall victim to their antics.”

Some people, she continued, were clamouring for adoption of a candidate but in the spirit of fairness, the party wanted every interested aspirant to test (their) popularity in the primary.

The LP State Working Committee would soon unveil the party’s expression of interest and nomination forms for interested aspirants, obtainable at the party’s secretariat, she disclosed.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released timetable and schedule of activities for bye-elections, including that of Surulere Federal Constituency 1 of Lagos State.

The seat became vacant following the resignation of Femi Gbajabiamila, who occupied the position until his recent appointment by President Bola Tinubu as Chief-of-Staff.

Mr Gbajabiamila, the immediate past Speaker of the House of Representatives, was re-elected for a 6th term into the Green Chamber during the February 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections before his resignation from the house.