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| Apagun |
In a dramatic twist of events within the Ogun State chapter of the Labour Party, a familiar pattern of political opportunism has once again reared its ugly head—one that calls for urgent attention, clarity, and decisive action.
The group formerly aligned with the Abure-led faction—whose actions were marked by hostility, intimidation, and outright repression of dissenting voices—have suddenly rebranded themselves as loyalists of the Sen. Nnenadi Usman-led leadership. These are individuals who, not too long ago, actively maligned her supporters, orchestrated their harassment, and in some cases, facilitated their unjust arrests and disruption of their meetings through the unlawful acts of the law enforcement agencies. Today, in a stunning display of political convenience, they parade themselves as defenders of the very cause they once undermined, underrated, denigrated and suffocated.
This sudden transformation did not occur in a vacuum. It followed the court judgment of January 21st, a ruling that altered the internal balance of power and exposed the fragility of loyalties built not on ideology, but on access to influence. Faced with a new political reality, these actors have retreated from their former positions and embarked on what can only be described as a political pilgrimage—jetting off to Abuja and Umuahia, eager to capture photographic evidence of proximity to perceived centers of authority.
Their strategy is clear: to leverage these carefully curated moments—selfies with prominent figures—to create an illusion of endorsement, legitimacy, and insider status and boastfully claim in the public space that they have settled everything with Sen. Nnenadi Usman and Governor Alex Otto of Abia State. This deceptive optics is then deployed back home in Ogun State to mislead party faithful, manipulate public perception, and reinsert themselves into positions of relevance and control.
But let it be said unequivocally: proximity is not loyalty, and opportunism is not leadership.
The Labour Party, as a movement, was built on principles of justice, integrity, and people-centered governance. It cannot afford to be hijacked by transactional politicians whose memories of their past deeds are still very fresh with us, and their allegiance shifts with the winds of power. The party’s future depends on consistency, accountability, and a firm commitment to its founding ideals—not on recycled actors seeking rehabilitation without remorse or restitution.
This is, therefore, a formal notice—a political and moral quit notice—to all those who view the party as a platform for personal advancement rather than collective progress. Ogun State Labour Party must not be reduced to a marketplace of influence where loyalty is traded and principles are negotiable. Those who refuse to give official recognition to whom is due, having been approved and appointed by the Sen. Nnenadi Usman led Labour Party, subtly working through an interface and a support group platform of LPPMC, and who never for once acknowledge or respect any invitation extended to her cannot claim to be seeking reconciliation as they were actually lobbying for reconstitution of Labour Party in Ogun State.
True members and supporters must remain vigilant. The struggle to build a credible alternative political force requires not just participation, but discernment. Not everyone who speaks the language of reform believes in it. Not everyone who poses for pictures represents progress.
The time has come to draw a clear line.
Those who once stood against the movement, who undermined its values and oppressed its members, must not be allowed to rewrite history of Ogun State Labour Party without recourse to accountability. Redemption, if it is to be considered at all, must come with honesty, restitution, and a demonstrable commitment to change—not mere optics and opportunistic alignment.
Ogun Labour Party belongs to its genuine members—the resilient, the consistent, and the principled. It is not a refuge for political nomads seeking relevance in every new power configuration.
Let this serve as both a warning and a call to action. We are watching with keen interest, as we will not allow our labour to go down the drain, your actions and inactions to engage lobbyists working in your interests through internal mechanism of the party are laid bare and all who participate in the exercise will get their names written in the history book of our great party.
The era of transactional politics must end. The future demands integrity.
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