The Labour Party has disassociated itself from the Secretary General of the Yoruba Socio-Political Group, Afenifere, Chief Olusola Ebiseni, over his claim of being the party’s Ondo State candidate in the November 16 governorship election.
In a statement issued by National Publicity Secretary Obiora Ifoh on behalf of the party, Ifoh said: “Dr. Olorunfemi is the candidate of the Labour Party. He emerged after the governorship primaries witnessed by the Independent National Electoral Commission. His name was subsequently submitted to INEC and was published as the Labour Party’s duly nominated candidate for the Ondo election.”
Ifoh emphasized that Ebiseni, who contested for the governorship of the opposition People’s Democratic Party in the state but lost, is yet to relinquish his membership of the PDP and has not formally identified with the Labour Party.
“Chief Ebiseni is not our candidate, though he aspired to be one. INEC has since concluded the nomination processes and one wonders how he emerged without the involvement of the INEC and the sponsorship of the Labour Party,” Ifoh said.
He also noted that some persons who are not members of the Labour Party but believed to be working for the Nigeria Labour Congress may be urging Ebiseni on in their “blind and illegitimate pursuit of the leadership of the party” despite the Appeal Court affirming Barrister Julius Abure as the authentic chairman of the Labour Party.
Ifoh warned that “impersonation is a serious crime in Nigeria” and urged security agencies to apprehend anyone impersonating or being used to fight a proxy battle by way of impersonation.
He expressed confidence in the party’s chances in the Ondo governorship election, saying: “Labour Party is poised to win the Ondo governorship election having fielded a very credible candidate who is a grassroot politician, a prominent Labour leader and a renowned educationist.”
Ifoh alleged that the “unholy alliance” between Ebiseni and the APC-sponsored NLC is aimed at frustrating the party’s expected victory at the polls, but vowed to resist it through every legal means.
He called on party members in Ondo, particularly the Obidient family and the entire electorate, to ignore the “gang up” against the party and come out en-masse to vote for Dr. Olorunfemi of the Labour Party, secure their votes, and ensure their votes count.
