Doyin Okupe, the former director-general of Peter Obi‘s presidential campaign organization, has blamed the Labour Party‘s wave of defections on the party’s inability to build a long-term structure beyond the 2023 elections.
At least six lawmakers of the House of Representatives elected under LP have since defected to the governing All Progressives Congress (APC).
Representatives Tochukwu Chinedu Okere (Imo), Donatus Matthew (Kaduna), Akiba Bassey (Cross River), and Esosa Iyawe (Edo) are among these legislators.
In a Sunday interview with reporters in Lagos on Sunday, Okupe said that elected members of the Labour Party are now looking for political significance and survival elsewhere because of the party’s current problems.
Okupe noted that the defections were expected since many elected officials would not stay in a party with an unclear future.
The former head of the Labour Party also pointed to Peter Obi’s recent meetings in Adamawa with opposition figures, including PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar for 2023, as evidence of open-ended alternatives and a potential departure from the party.
He said, “The Labour Party has historically been a fallback option for those unable to secure tickets in major parties. That was how we joined initially, and our presence boosted its fortunes.
“National Assembly members elected under the LP banner know their chances of returning in 2027 are slim without strong party structures. To secure their political future, they are aligning with more established parties.
“What does Obi’s meeting with Atiku tell you? It suggests that all options are on the table. Labour Party followers are not blind.“
Okupe further criticized the party leadership and Peter Obi for neglecting to develop a political structure after the election.
He added, “The Labour Party is not building or investing in structures. This failure is driving people away, and it will continue.“
Mr Okupe has turned a new leaf since the loss of the election, and has become an ardent supporter of the APC government of President Bola Tinubu.
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