Kenneth Okonkwo: No crisis in LP | Apapa-led faction not worthy to be mentioned

Kenneth Okonkwo, a chieftain of the Labour Party (LP), says there is no crisis in the party.

Speaking on Channels Television on Monday, Okonkwo described the Lamidi Apapa-led faction of the party as “politicians not worthy to be mentioned with regards to the LP”.

The LP has been embroiled in a leadership crisis since Lamidi Apapa, deputy national chairman of the party (south), declared himself the acting national chairman following the sack of Julius Abure by a court.

The party said Apapa has been suspended alongside Samuel Akingbade, national legal adviser; Gbenga Daramola, national financial secretary; Anselem Eragbe, national youth leader; and Abayomi Arabambi, national publicity secretary.

“They are political clowns not worthy to be mentioned with regards to Labour Party. They are politicians of convenience and politicians of fortune,” Okonkwo said.

“They are not politicians of conviction, they are not politicians of fortitude. I’m here to tell you that you should not ever call them a faction of the Labour Party.

“There is no crisis in Labour Party and I refer you to the Labour Party constitution: article 13, 1(b) (IV) says it is only the national convention that can elect or remove the national officers and then article 13 2(b) (XVI and XVII) says it is only the NEC that can replace the vacancy in any national office and it is only the NEC that can discipline any national officer.

“So, please these people you are calling that they are a faction of the Labour Party, who brought them in as national officers of the Labour Party? Please they are not in any way Labour Party national officers.”