Ogun LP protests in court, accuses Gov Daniel, Kashamu of plot to hijack party

Members of the Ogun State chapter of Labour Party on Monday stormed the Federal High Court premise in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital to protest against alleged plans by two prominent members of opposition party to hijack the party structure in the state.

The protesters besieged the entrance of the Court with placards to drive home their grievance against the planned hijack of their party by former governor of the state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and the Senator representing Ogun East at the National Assembly, Buruji Kashamu who are prominent members of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

Some of the inscriptions on the placards read: “Kashamu, OGD: Labour Party cannot be hijacked”, “OGD, Kashamu: leave Labour Party alone”, “Labour Party not for Sale: Kashamu be careful”, “Labour Party is Independent”, among others.

The court had in the suit number: FHC/AB/CS/123/18 scheduled to commence hearing on a matter brought before it by the trio of Chief Biodun Owolabi, Hon. Oginni Olaposi Sunday and Segun Oluyede against the Ogun LP and six other defendants which included the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In suit, the trio of Owolabi, Oginni and Oluyede were challenging the authenticity of the Comrade Abayomi Arabambi led state executive of the party.

Speaking with newsmen at the Court premises, the Chairman of Labour Party in the state, Comrade Abayomi Arabambi said, the move was just to set the record straight.

His words, “It was just for us to make a statement to Nigerians that there is an attempt by the duo of Senator Buruji Kashamu and Otunba Gbenga Daniel to hijack the structure of the Labour Party in Ogun State. They are still members People’s Democratic Party”.

“We actually came for a matter here today but we are surprise to see Prince Segun Seriki who had been disposed as the State Chairman of Labour Party.

Even, there is a court matter between Prince Segun Seriki, Uche Secondus and Elder Yemi Akinwonmi over the slot of the Deputy National Chairman of PDP South in a Federal High Court in Lagos”.

“We were shocked when we were served Court summon, they even came to court expecting to collect an injunction against some of our members, claiming that they were in office since January and that I used some political brigandage to unseat them’.

He alleged that Ladi Adebutu, a member of the PDP is sponsoring them.

“They are not members of the Labour Party. LP will contest for all elective positions in the forthcoming elections”.

Daniel, the Director General, Atiku Campaign Organization and Senator Kashamu want to harness Labour Party. Though, Kashamu is having issues with the PDP, but that is their internal problems.

Arabambi affirmed that he remained Chairman of Labour Party in Ogun State. They are not members of Labour Party. We don’t know them as members of the party.

He threatened that Labour party may pull out of the CUPP, if there is an attempt by the PDP to castrate Labour Party in Ogun State.

“We don’t have any business to do with them; I will be going to Abuja to inform the leadership of LP about happenings in the state. I want to appeal to the National Chairman of the PDP, Uche Secondus to call his members to order.

Ladi Adebutu is not our member he has contested for governorship primaries on the platform of PDP and so shall it be so we don’t have any problems with what they have there.

In his reaction, Chief Segun Seriki while speaking to our correspondent through a phone conversation denied having anything to do with the labour party in the State.

He said in the sworn affidavit, neither his signature nor his name was mentioned, so he has nothing to do with the court matter and the Labour Party.