The caretaker leadership of the Labour Party (LP) in Lagos State has reaffirmed that former chairperson, Pastor Mrs. Dayo Ekong, remains suspended and lacks any authority to speak for the party.
This follows Ekong’s recent remarks on X, where she suggested that Peter Obi’s political momentum since the 2023 elections had declined due to “divisive decisions” and inconsistent strategy. Ekong argued that Obi’s initial popularity was not solely about his personality but also the strength of party structures and grassroots mobilization.
“In 2023, Nigerians rallied behind him because he represented a fresh alternative,” Ekong wrote. “But today, his actions are beginning to erode the foundation of that support.”
She further pointed to LP’s losses in Imo and Edo as proof of Obi’s alleged political missteps.
However, in a statement on Wednesday, Lagos LP Caretaker Chairman Rotimi Odunaike dismissed Ekong’s comments as “unauthorized” and “fraudulent.”
“The attention of the legitimate leadership of the Labour Party in Lagos State has been drawn to recent unauthorized statements made by Pastor Mrs. Dayo Ekong, who continues to masquerade as state chairperson despite her suspension on May 12, 2025, and several judicial pronouncements clarifying the leadership situation,” Odunaike said.
He stressed that Ekong was suspended for gross misconduct, constitutional violations, and anti-party activities, warning the public and media not to be misled.
Odunaike also accused her of contributing to the party’s setbacks in Lagos by-elections, claiming that her leadership failures provided grounds for electoral bodies not to recognize LP candidates.
“It is particularly galling that the very individual whose reckless leadership weakened our structures now blames others for electoral outcomes,” he added.
On Ekong’s criticism of Peter Obi, Odunaike described her statements as self-serving attacks against the party’s presidential candidate.
“Rather than accepting responsibility for her role in weakening our party, she chooses to attack Mr. Obi—the same leader who delivered unprecedented electoral victories in 2023,” he said.
Reiterating that Ekong’s suspension remains binding, Odunaike urged members to disregard her comments and focus on rebuilding under what he described as legitimate leadership.
“To Pastor Dayo Ekong: Your suspension stands. Your authority is revoked. Your continued impersonation of a party official is fraudulent and destructive,” Odunaike declared.
He assured members that the party is working to rebuild its structure in Lagos and across Nigeria, insisting that Ekong’s “credibility ended with her removal.”
