In a strategic move ahead of the upcoming Local Government elections in Lagos State, the Labour Party (LP) has inaugurated a 24-member Caretaker Executive Committee to take charge of its operations within the state.
The inauguration, held on Friday, May 9, at Access Hotel in Ikeja, saw the formal introduction of an interim leadership tasked with guiding the party through a crucial transitional phase.
The committee is expected to oversee reconciliation efforts, electoral preparations, and internal restructuring.
Federal Representative for Ojo Federal Constituency in the 10th National Assembly, Seyi Sowunmi, announced the list of appointees before the official inauguration.
He emphasized that the new caretaker leadership, chaired by Rotimi Odunaike, is empowered to manage party affairs and coordinate its political agenda across Lagos.
According to Sowunmi, “The newly appointed exco in Lagos State, led by Rotimi Odunaike, the State Chairman, comprises 24 members.”
The leadership team includes six Deputy State Chairmen, Adegboyega Adeniji, Comrade Rasheed Bamishe, Barr. Affiong L. Affiong, Barr. Solomon Agbafor, Dr. Adefolaseye Adebayo, and Opeyemi Oluwaseun, as well as Hon. Dorcas Irhoghama Omorodion as State Secretary.
Other members of the committee include Mr. Eze Akpiri Ejotorishede (Assistant State Secretary), Comrade Onafowokan Gbenga (Assistant State Secretary), Adesegbe Ehigiator (State Treasurer), Mr. Oladele Egbayelo (Financial Secretary), Mrs. Titi Oworu (Women Leader), and three Deputy Women Leaders; Mrs. Olayemi Aboyewa, Mrs. Ijeoma Okafor, and Basirat Owoiya.
Also appointed were Justin C. Ijeh (Publicity Secretary), Femi Ferguson (Organising Secretary), Barr. Femi Kehinde (State Legal Adviser), Samuel Ajayi Crowther (Auditor), Damilare Akinlere (Youth Leader), and three Assistant Youth Leaders—Ebije Elliot Chukunalu, Isiaq Taofeek Kayode, and Precious Ofulue.
Sowunmi reiterated the committee’s mission, stating that it is “tasked with fostering unity among members by promoting a cohesive and inclusive environment to reconcile all factions and aggrieved individuals within the party.”
He added that the team is to commence preparations for the Lagos LG elections without delay and handle any emerging electoral issues.
A key part of the committee’s assignment is to organize and conduct congresses at the ward, local government, and state levels, an important step in reestablishing the party’s democratically elected leadership.
Hon. Afam Ogene, Federal Representative for Ogbaru constituency in Anambra and leader of the LP caucus in the House of Representatives, also addressed members at the event.
Speaking on the recent wave of defections from the Labour Party, Ogene described the situation as temporary.
“For anybody who is a student of Nigerian politics, defection is nothing,” he said.
“By the time primaries of the various political parties begin next year, people who are denied tickets in some of the parties they are going to would also look for platforms to run elections. Some of them would run coming back, so we are not bothered.”
He continued, “There are several people waiting to run on our platforms. But in politics, 24 hours is a long time. All the dynamics and indices will change because by early next year people will defect to other political parties.”
Ogene dismissed concerns about the party’s future, asserting that the LP remains prepared and has the capacity to fill vacated roles with new aspirants ready to serve.
