Our attention has been drawn to reports in some news media on a press release issued by some elements within the Ogun state Labour Party on the expulsion of Otunba Gbenga Daniel from the party.
We wish to state emphatically that Otunba Gbenga Daniel was never at anytime a registered or card carrying member of the prestigious party. On several occasions, the state executives of the Ogun State Labour Party
have approached OGD for consultation and solicit his support for the development of the party in the state. It is imperative to note that being a development conscious and experienced Statesman, Otunba Daniel
only plays an advisory role on what he believe a progressive party should look like in terms of structure and principles in line with international best practice.
We are so shocked at the level of display of injustice and unfairness to human dignity by the immediate past State Chairman of the party in person of Mr. Bode Simeon, the Ex-secretary Mr. Olaposi Oginni and the
party former Financial Secretary Mr. Arabambi who have decided to spread vicious lies against the person of OGD for reasons best known to them.
Firstly, it is notorious that a party can only expel a registered member of its party in line with stipulated provisions enshrined in the party’s constitution. How then can OGD, a man who is yet to be registered as a party member be expelled from a party he is yet to belong to?
Secondly, the party executives quoted in the reports to the best of our knowledge no longer hold the office on whose authority they claim to speak as their tenure ended on November 10, 2013. The Labour Party is currently undergoing transition process and is yet to elect members of the state Executive Board; one is then left to wonder who these individuals truly represent.
Few months ago Otunba was approached by the trio to solicit his support for an aspirant vying for governorship position under the party’s platform. Mr. Simeon gave a detailed analysis of the aspirant as a member of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria and that he is currently representing a Federal Constituency in the House of
Representatives. He made it known that the aspirant was ready to cross over to the Labour Party as he is uncomfortable with the high handedness and lack of internal democracy in his current party.
OGD advice to them was that “to want to make conclusion about who should carry the Party gubernatorial flag and enforce it on the people within the Party structure will be another strong form of high handedness” therefore, they should ensure that all members of the party are carried along on this development and a proper primary election be conducted so as to ensure internal democracy within the party which was the same reason the person in question was going to leave his current party. It is therefore ironical that this same person wants to enforce what he disliked in the party he is leaving.
Alas, few weeks later we got confirmed reports that these executive members received gifts to the tune of millions in cash and cars from the said proposed aspirant. It was also established that these executives started abusing the office they hold by promising various aspirants a sure gubernatorial ticket on the party's platform in
exchange for bribe and that whoever is able to outspend the other will be considered.
This started raising dust as it was an open secret; it became so worrisome that Otunba Daniel (from the position of an advisor) called them for explanation on the allegations and suggested strongly that the Party should stick to the core principles of internal democracy which is the ultimate will of the people. Instead of taking responsibility for their actions and take caution; these said Excos who we believe are not representing the original intents of Labour Party but their own pockets took it upon themselves to wage war against the person of OGD who was only rendering advice on what he felt should be the right thing.
OGD has done nothing other than to mediate between factions of the party clamouring for due process as against the decision of these trio Executives who have gone all out of the democratic lane to enrich their pockets.
It is preposterous, wrong and obnoxious to allege that Otunba was trying to pursue personal agenda against collective party aspiration. Is this also not a funny joke as he is yet to join the party?
Since when did it become a taboo for one to stand for what is right which is due process, long standing democratic principles and transparency? Is it not fair that a political party striving to establish a people's party embrace internal democracy where every member of the party will have a say in the party's affairs other than mere dictatorial approach?
Yes, Otunba may have left various political platforms but it is never unconnected with his desire for collective participation of every member of the parties other than an emperorship tendency.
The Labour Party in Ogun state is presently under the supervision of a Transition Committee until the party convention comes up. If we must reach democratic goals for the people and make lasting impacts, we must act right and insist on continuity of acting right.
We want to finally state here that Otunba Gbenga Daniel is a peace loving man who will do nothing against the principle of fairness and transparency.
Thanks,
Adenekan Seun
Media Assistant to OGD
December 14, 2013.
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Politics