PRESS STATEMENT BY THE OGUN STATE PUBLICITY: RE: URGENT CALL FOR RESPECT FOR THE LABOUR PARTY CONSTITUTION, THE ELECTORAL ACT, AND SUBSISTING COURT ORDERS – OGUN STATE LABOUR PARTY CRISIS
Date: July 15, 2026
INTRODUCTION
The attention of the Apagun Olaolu Samuel Babatunde-led Ogun State Executive Committee of the Labour Party has been drawn to the ongoing attempts by certain elements within the National Leadership of our great Party to subvert the will of Ogun State party members, undermine the Labour Party Constitution, and violate established electoral laws.
We write to set the records straight and to put the National Leadership of the Labour Party, particularly the National Deputy Chairman (South), Mrs. Oriola Nike Job, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on notice regarding the unfolding crisis in Ogun State.
FACTS OF THE MATTER
 |
| Apagun |
1
. The Ogun State Labour Party conducted its duly constituted State Congress, wherein Apagun Olaolu Samuel Babatunde emerged as the authentic State Chairman of the Party in Ogun State.2. The National Deputy Chairman (South), Mrs. Oriola Nike Job, for reasons best known to her, did not favour the emergence of Apagun Olaolu Samuel Babatunde as State Chairman.
3. Acting in what appears to be a flagrant abuse of office and in total disregard for the Party’s constitution, Mrs. Oriola Nike Job colluded with some elements at the National Secretariat to conjure an entirely different list of persons who never participated in the legitimate Ogun State Congress. This parallel list was presented as the Ogun State Executive Committee of the Labour Party, with one Alhaji Ibrahim Onabiyi paraded as State Chairman.
4. Mrs. Oriola Nike Job, acting under a transmitted memo from the national to INEC went further to organise a parallel State Primary Election, bypassing the state structure, conducted simultaneously with the legitimate primaries organized by the authentic State Chairman, Apagun Olaolu Samuel Babatunde.
5. As we speak, the recognised State Chairman on the INEC portal remains Apagun Olaolu Samuel Babatunde — a clear indication that INEC is aware of the illegitimacy of the parallel structure imposed by Mrs. Oriola Nike Job.
 |
| Nike Oriola |
6. INEC has thus far refused to upload the names of the so-called candidates of the parallel faction. This is likely due to the Commission's awareness of the legal and constitutional infirmities surrounding that exercise, and the imminent threat of litigation.7. However, INEC has also refused to release the access code to the Apagun Olaolu Samuel Babatunde-led State Executive Committee to enable us to upload the names of our candidates who validly emerged from the legitimate State Primaries conducted by the authentic State Chairman.
THE LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL POSITION
1. The Labour Party Constitution is Supreme:
The Labour Party Constitution vests the authority to organise and conduct State Congresses and Primaries in the duly elected State Executive Committees. No National Officer, including the National Deputy Chairman (South), has the constitutional power to bypass the legitimate State Executive Committee and impose a parallel structure. Any action to the contrary is unconstitutional, null, and void.
2. Section 223 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended):
Section 223 of the 1999 Constitution mandates that political parties shall conduct periodic elections for their principal officers and members of executive committees on a democratic basis at intervals not exceeding four years. The imposition of a parallel State Executive Committee by Mrs. Oriola Nike Job, without any democratic process, is a gross violation of this constitutional provision.
3. The Electoral Act 2022 (as amended) and INEC Guidelines:
INEC is empowered by law to ensure that political parties observe the practices of internal democracy, including the fair and transparent conduct of party congresses and primaries. The Commission is also mandated to monitor party primaries and ensure compliance with the Electoral Act and its own guidelines. INEC cannot, and must not, recognise or give effect to any primary election that was not conducted in line with the Party's constitution and the Electoral Act.
4. Judicial Precedents on Disobedience to Court Orders and Unconstitutional Party Actions:
The judiciary has consistently held that political parties must strictly comply with constitutional provisions, electoral regulations, and valid court orders in conducting their internal affairs. The Supreme Court and Court of Appeal have repeatedly nullified party congresses and conventions conducted in violation of subsisting court orders and party constitutions.
In the recent case of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the Court of Appeal, in a split 2-1 majority decision, affirmed that state congresses conducted by a caretaker committee in violation of a subsisting court order were invalid. The Court held that the responsibility for organising state congresses rests with duly elected State Executive Committees, not with the national leadership. The Court further barred INEC from recognising the outcome of such congresses.
Similarly, in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ibadan Convention case, the Supreme Court nullified the entire National Convention because it was conducted in violation of a subsisting court order. The apex court held that proceeding with a convention despite valid restraining orders amounted to making “a mockery of the majesty of the judiciary” and an affront to the authority of the courts.
These judicial pronouncements are clear and binding. Any party official who flouts the Party's constitution or valid court orders does so at their own peril.
OUR DEMANDS AND WARNING
TO THE NATIONAL LEADERSHIP OF THE LABOUR PARTY AND MRS. ORIOLA NIKE JOB:
We demand that the National Leadership of the Labour Party immediately:
1. Cease and desist from all attempts to impose a parallel State Executive Committee or parallel candidates on Ogun State.
2. Publicly recognise Apagun Olaolu Samuel Babatunde as the duly elected and authentic State Chairman of the Labour Party in Ogun State.
3. Dissociate the Party from the illegal parallel primary conducted by Mrs. Oriola Nike Job and her cohorts.
4. Direct all Party officials, including Mrs. Oriola Nike Job, to respect the Labour Party Constitution and the will of Ogun State party members.
We put the National Leadership and Mrs. Oriola Nike Job on NOTICE that any further attempt to undermine the legitimate State Executive Committee and impose candidates not democratically elected will be met with immediate legal action. We will not hesitate to approach the courts to seek redress, including but not limited to:
· An order of court declaring the parallel State Executive Committee and the parallel primaries null and void.
· An order of perpetual injunction restraining the National Leadership and Mrs. Oriola Nike Job from interfering with the affairs of the Ogun State Labour Party.
· An order directing INEC to recognise only the candidates validly emerged from the primaries conducted by the Apagun Olaolu Samuel Babatunde-led State Executive Committee.
· Claims for damages against all those involved in this illegality.
TO THE INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION (INEC):
We call on INEC to:
1. Uphold the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended) and its own Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.
2. Refrain from recognising or giving any effect to the parallel primaries and parallel candidates imposed by Mrs. Oriola Nike Job and her co-travellers.
3. Immediately release the access code to the Apagun Olaolu Samuel Babatunde-led State Executive Committee to enable us to upload the names of our candidates who validly emerged from the legitimate State Primaries conducted by the authentic State Chairman.
4. Note that INEC's current position of refusing to release the access code to the legitimate State Chairman while also refusing to recognise the parallel faction is untenable and creates an unnecessary crisis.
We put INEC on NOTICE that we are prepared to approach the courts to compel the Commission to perform its statutory duties in accordance with the law. We will seek:
· An order of mandamus compelling INEC to release the access code to the authentic State Chairman of the Labour Party in Ogun State.
· An order restraining INEC from recognising or dealing with any candidate not validly emerged from the primaries conducted by the Apagun Olaolu Samuel Babatunde-led State Executive Committee.
CONCLUSION
 |
| Kika |
The Labour Party is a party built on the principles of internal democracy, rule of law, and respect for constitutionalism. We will not allow any individual, no matter how highly placed, to subvert these principles for selfish interests.
We call on all well-meaning members of the Labour Party in Ogun State and across Nigeria to remain calm and law-abiding. We assure you that we are committed to protecting the integrity of our Party and the will of our members.
The Apagun Olaolu Samuel Babatunde-led State Executive Committee remains the only legitimate leadership of the Labour Party in Ogun State. We will not be intimidated, and we will not surrender our mandate to any cabal of usurpers.
The rule of law must prevail. Internal democracy must be respected. The will of Ogun State party members must not be subverted.
Signed:
Hon.Kika Glasgow
State Publicity Secretary,
Apagun Olaolu Samuel Babatunde-led Ogun State Executive Committee,
Labour Party
Date: July 15, 2026
Cc:
1. The National Chairman, Labour Party
2. The National Secretary, Labour Party
3. The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
4. The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ogun State
5. The Nigeria Police Force
6. The Department of State Services (DSS)
7. All Media Houses
Date: July 15, 2026
INTRODUCTION
The attention of the Apagun Olaolu Samuel Babatunde-led Ogun State Executive Committee of the Labour Party has been drawn to the ongoing attempts by certain elements within the National Leadership of our great Party to subvert the will of Ogun State party members, undermine the Labour Party Constitution, and violate established electoral laws.
We write to set the records straight and to put the National Leadership of the Labour Party, particularly the National Deputy Chairman (South), Mrs. Oriola Nike Job, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on notice regarding the unfolding crisis in Ogun State.
FACTS OF THE MATTER
|
| Apagun |
1
. The Ogun State Labour Party conducted its duly constituted State Congress, wherein Apagun Olaolu Samuel Babatunde emerged as the authentic State Chairman of the Party in Ogun State.2. The National Deputy Chairman (South), Mrs. Oriola Nike Job, for reasons best known to her, did not favour the emergence of Apagun Olaolu Samuel Babatunde as State Chairman.
3. Acting in what appears to be a flagrant abuse of office and in total disregard for the Party’s constitution, Mrs. Oriola Nike Job colluded with some elements at the National Secretariat to conjure an entirely different list of persons who never participated in the legitimate Ogun State Congress. This parallel list was presented as the Ogun State Executive Committee of the Labour Party, with one Alhaji Ibrahim Onabiyi paraded as State Chairman.
4. Mrs. Oriola Nike Job, acting under a transmitted memo from the national to INEC went further to organise a parallel State Primary Election, bypassing the state structure, conducted simultaneously with the legitimate primaries organized by the authentic State Chairman, Apagun Olaolu Samuel Babatunde.
5. As we speak, the recognised State Chairman on the INEC portal remains Apagun Olaolu Samuel Babatunde — a clear indication that INEC is aware of the illegitimacy of the parallel structure imposed by Mrs. Oriola Nike Job.
|
| Nike Oriola |
6. INEC has thus far refused to upload the names of the so-called candidates of the parallel faction. This is likely due to the Commission's awareness of the legal and constitutional infirmities surrounding that exercise, and the imminent threat of litigation.7. However, INEC has also refused to release the access code to the Apagun Olaolu Samuel Babatunde-led State Executive Committee to enable us to upload the names of our candidates who validly emerged from the legitimate State Primaries conducted by the authentic State Chairman.
THE LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL POSITION
1. The Labour Party Constitution is Supreme:
The Labour Party Constitution vests the authority to organise and conduct State Congresses and Primaries in the duly elected State Executive Committees. No National Officer, including the National Deputy Chairman (South), has the constitutional power to bypass the legitimate State Executive Committee and impose a parallel structure. Any action to the contrary is unconstitutional, null, and void.
2. Section 223 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended):
Section 223 of the 1999 Constitution mandates that political parties shall conduct periodic elections for their principal officers and members of executive committees on a democratic basis at intervals not exceeding four years. The imposition of a parallel State Executive Committee by Mrs. Oriola Nike Job, without any democratic process, is a gross violation of this constitutional provision.
3. The Electoral Act 2022 (as amended) and INEC Guidelines:
INEC is empowered by law to ensure that political parties observe the practices of internal democracy, including the fair and transparent conduct of party congresses and primaries. The Commission is also mandated to monitor party primaries and ensure compliance with the Electoral Act and its own guidelines. INEC cannot, and must not, recognise or give effect to any primary election that was not conducted in line with the Party's constitution and the Electoral Act.
4. Judicial Precedents on Disobedience to Court Orders and Unconstitutional Party Actions:
The judiciary has consistently held that political parties must strictly comply with constitutional provisions, electoral regulations, and valid court orders in conducting their internal affairs. The Supreme Court and Court of Appeal have repeatedly nullified party congresses and conventions conducted in violation of subsisting court orders and party constitutions.
In the recent case of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the Court of Appeal, in a split 2-1 majority decision, affirmed that state congresses conducted by a caretaker committee in violation of a subsisting court order were invalid. The Court held that the responsibility for organising state congresses rests with duly elected State Executive Committees, not with the national leadership. The Court further barred INEC from recognising the outcome of such congresses.
Similarly, in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ibadan Convention case, the Supreme Court nullified the entire National Convention because it was conducted in violation of a subsisting court order. The apex court held that proceeding with a convention despite valid restraining orders amounted to making “a mockery of the majesty of the judiciary” and an affront to the authority of the courts.
These judicial pronouncements are clear and binding. Any party official who flouts the Party's constitution or valid court orders does so at their own peril.
OUR DEMANDS AND WARNING
TO THE NATIONAL LEADERSHIP OF THE LABOUR PARTY AND MRS. ORIOLA NIKE JOB:
We demand that the National Leadership of the Labour Party immediately:
1. Cease and desist from all attempts to impose a parallel State Executive Committee or parallel candidates on Ogun State.
2. Publicly recognise Apagun Olaolu Samuel Babatunde as the duly elected and authentic State Chairman of the Labour Party in Ogun State.
3. Dissociate the Party from the illegal parallel primary conducted by Mrs. Oriola Nike Job and her cohorts.
4. Direct all Party officials, including Mrs. Oriola Nike Job, to respect the Labour Party Constitution and the will of Ogun State party members.
We put the National Leadership and Mrs. Oriola Nike Job on NOTICE that any further attempt to undermine the legitimate State Executive Committee and impose candidates not democratically elected will be met with immediate legal action. We will not hesitate to approach the courts to seek redress, including but not limited to:
· An order of court declaring the parallel State Executive Committee and the parallel primaries null and void.
· An order of perpetual injunction restraining the National Leadership and Mrs. Oriola Nike Job from interfering with the affairs of the Ogun State Labour Party.
· An order directing INEC to recognise only the candidates validly emerged from the primaries conducted by the Apagun Olaolu Samuel Babatunde-led State Executive Committee.
· Claims for damages against all those involved in this illegality.
TO THE INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION (INEC):
We call on INEC to:
1. Uphold the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended) and its own Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.
2. Refrain from recognising or giving any effect to the parallel primaries and parallel candidates imposed by Mrs. Oriola Nike Job and her co-travellers.
3. Immediately release the access code to the Apagun Olaolu Samuel Babatunde-led State Executive Committee to enable us to upload the names of our candidates who validly emerged from the legitimate State Primaries conducted by the authentic State Chairman.
4. Note that INEC's current position of refusing to release the access code to the legitimate State Chairman while also refusing to recognise the parallel faction is untenable and creates an unnecessary crisis.
We put INEC on NOTICE that we are prepared to approach the courts to compel the Commission to perform its statutory duties in accordance with the law. We will seek:
· An order of mandamus compelling INEC to release the access code to the authentic State Chairman of the Labour Party in Ogun State.
· An order restraining INEC from recognising or dealing with any candidate not validly emerged from the primaries conducted by the Apagun Olaolu Samuel Babatunde-led State Executive Committee.
CONCLUSION
|
| Kika |
The Labour Party is a party built on the principles of internal democracy, rule of law, and respect for constitutionalism. We will not allow any individual, no matter how highly placed, to subvert these principles for selfish interests.
We call on all well-meaning members of the Labour Party in Ogun State and across Nigeria to remain calm and law-abiding. We assure you that we are committed to protecting the integrity of our Party and the will of our members.
The Apagun Olaolu Samuel Babatunde-led State Executive Committee remains the only legitimate leadership of the Labour Party in Ogun State. We will not be intimidated, and we will not surrender our mandate to any cabal of usurpers.
The rule of law must prevail. Internal democracy must be respected. The will of Ogun State party members must not be subverted.
Signed:
Hon.Kika Glasgow
State Publicity Secretary,
Apagun Olaolu Samuel Babatunde-led Ogun State Executive Committee,
Labour Party
Date: July 15, 2026
Cc:
1. The National Chairman, Labour Party
2. The National Secretary, Labour Party
3. The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
4. The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ogun State
5. The Nigeria Police Force
6. The Department of State Services (DSS)
7. All Media Houses
