Member of the House of Representatives and Deputy Caucus Leader of Labour Party (LP), Seyi Sowunmi, yesterday, issued a warning to party members and supporters in Lagos State against purchasing expression of interest forms for the upcoming local government election.

According to Sowunmi, the Dayo Ekong-led executive committee of the LP in Lagos State, tenure has expired on January 26, 2024. He stated this is in a statement he personally signed with the title: “Beware of Illegal Congresses and Sale of Local Government Election Expression of Interest Forms in Labour Party, Lagos State.”

Sowunmi alleged that Ekong has been engaging in illegal activities, including the sale of forms for the conduct of congresses and local government polls in Lagos State. He described Ekong and her team as impostors, citing a pending court case seeking to set aside their actions and restrain them from parading themselves as party executives.

Sowunmi urged party members and aspirants to be cautious and not participate in any illegal activities, expressing confidence that the court will address the issues and ensure due process is followed within the party.

He expressed concerns over the disregard for rule of law and due process within the party, stressing the need for Labour Party to entrench and respect due process in its dealings.

He said: “The Dayo Ekong led Exco of Labour Party in Lagos State was last reappointed on October 27, 2023 for a period of three months. By the express provision of the appointment letter, their tenure ended on 26 January 2024 and it has not been renewed till date.”

Therefore, the Dayo Ekong led Exco is an impostor.
“Indeed, there’s a court case at the Federal High Court, Abuja seeking court orders, among other things, to set aside all the illegal activities of Mrs. Dayo Ekong led Exco since the end of her tenure and to restrain her and cohort from parading themselves as Labour Party State Excos for Lagos State.

“The court case will also set aside all the illegal caretaker excos appointed by her across all the local governments in Lagos State. All the court papers have been served on her and she has not filed any defence till date to the best of my knowledge.

“I state categorically that upon the expiration of tenure of the Dayo Ekong led State Exco on 26 January 2024, she and other exco members lack the power to appoint local government excos, to conduct any congress or sell any expression of interest or nomination form for Labour Party in Lagos state.

“I am also aware that Mrs. Dayo Ekong has been pressurising Barr. Julius Abure to write to INEC informing INEC that her tenure has been renewed but Barr. Julius Abure is unwilling to write to INEC because it’s being alleged that INEC does not recognise Barr. Julius Abure as National Chairman due to his failure to follow due process.”