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.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has lauded President Bola Tinubu’s administration for its transformation of Abuja’s infrastructure, declaring that only the “visually impaired” would fail to acknowledge the visible progress made in the city.

Speaking during an inspection of several ongoing and completed projects across the FCT on Saturday, Wike praised Tinubu for delivering what he described as “first-class infrastructure” to the nation’s capital.

“Mr President has given first-class infrastructure to Abuja. All of you can attest to the fact that, indeed, Abuja has really changed. So, we are happy for it,” the Minister said.

Wike further expressed gratitude for what he described as effective leadership and fulfillment of electoral promises.

“I want to thank God Almighty for providing the right leadership to Mr President to provide the dividends of democracy to the residents of Abuja. I don’t see why anybody would say that Mr President has not done well, except you are just blind.”

“Except, you don’t want to admit something that you know that is good. We are happy that we have fulfilled the promises that we have made,” he added.

The Minister disclosed that numerous projects are scheduled for commissioning as part of events marking Tinubu’s second anniversary in office.

According to him, the inauguration exercises will span a two-week period.

“I think by next week, we will be able to provide all the projects that will be inaugurated during Mr President’s second anniversary but this Gishiri interchange is one of them, the OSEX to Wassa Junction is also one of them, the International Conference Centre is another one. The N5 is also another one,” Wike enumerated.

He continued, “We have so many roads, both in the satellite towns and in the city. Even the Abuja Greater Water will also be inaugurated. So, we have a lot of projects.”

“It will take us about two weeks to inaugurate most of our projects.”

Wike emphasized the importance of leadership in delivering developmental gains.

“What makes us happy is when people are happy, because at the end of the day, we are working for the people. I have said it before, leadership is a major issue. When you have the right leadership, people will benefit from it,” he stated.

Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has strongly criticized the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the arrest and prolonged detention of former House of Representatives member, Muhammad Kazaure.

In a statement shared on his verified X handle on Saturday, Atiku denounced the EFCC’s action as a clear violation of due process.

He accused the anti-graft agency of overstepping its constitutional boundaries, calling the incident part of a growing trend of political intimidation.

“We witnessed this same abuse in the unlawful arrest and detention of Mr. Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, whose release was only secured after massive public outrage and pressure,” Atiku wrote, referencing a recent case that sparked widespread criticism.

He continued, “Now, the EFCC has targeted Hon. Muhammad Kazaure, a former member of the House of Representatives and an unapologetic critic of the gross misgovernance and failings of the Tinubu administration.”

“Abducted in Kano and whisked away to Abuja, Kazaure is presently being held incommunicado, with no formal charge or explanation offered to his family, legal team, or the Nigerian people.”

Atiku emphasized that lawful procedure must be observed in all arrests, noting, “Let it be stated without equivocation: even if there were legitimate grounds for arresting any citizen, such action must adhere strictly to the rule of law.”

“The EFCC is duty-bound to publicly disclose the reasons for any arrest and must not detain individuals indefinitely under the guise of investigation.”

He concluded by alleging that the motive behind Kazaure’s arrest was his consistent criticism of the current administration.

“We are left with no choice but to conclude that Kazaure’s ordeal is a direct consequence of his fearless and unrelenting criticism of this administration,” Atiku asserted.

A leading member of the Young Progressive Party (YPP), Bestman Eruba, has stated that the party is willing to offer its platform to Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, for his re-election bid if the ongoing crisis in the Labour Party (LP) persists.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Eruba praised Otti’s leadership style and development-driven policies, saying they are in line with the YPP’s values.

According to him, the party would not hesitate to give Otti an automatic ticket in 2027 should he need an alternative platform.

“We will yield the YPP platform for Governor Alex Otti whenever he needs political refuge,” Eruba declared.

“He has shown remarkable leadership and excellence in service with a performance record that is visible to the blind and audible to the deaf.”

He warned against distractions or conspiracies by individuals or groups that could derail Otti’s progress, emphasizing the governor’s strong track record and broad public approval.

“His style, projects, programmes and policies align with the objectives of our party,” he said.

“The Young Progressives Party will therefore not hesitate to offer him our gubernatorial ticket in 2027 as a veritable platform to consolidate on his agenda to deliver the dividends of democracy to our people,” Eruba added.

He went further to describe Otti as a perfect fit for YPP’s political philosophy “Otti is working and the only platform that will guarantee sustenance of his remarkable career in public life is the Young Progressives Party where our mantra is service to the people. We have the reach and we have severally shown that we can accommodate ourselves and fix the broken pieces of our relationship.”

Eruba concluded with an open invitation: “YPP is your home, come and coast to victory in 2027.”

DAILY GAZETTE recalls that YPP’s 2023 governorship candidate in Abia, Enyinnaya Nwafor, had also recently declared support for Governor Otti.

Nwafor finished third in the election, behind Otti of the LP and Okey Ahaiwe of the PDP.

Although YPP secured notable wins in the 2023 elections clinching two House of Assembly seats in Osisioma and two chairmanship seats in the November 2, 2024, local government polls, its legislative members have since defected to the LP.