Okupe resigns from LP, cites ideological difference

The Labour Party (LP), on Monday, suffered a seeming setback as its former director general of the Datt-Obi Presidential Campaign Organisation, Dr Doyim Okupe resigned his membership of the party with effect from January 8.

He cited ideological differences with the Labour Party, which he said is ideologically rooted in the left of the centre as a party.

His resignation came almost 13 months after the former presidential aspirant stepped aside as the DG of the campaign organisation, following what he described as personal travails.

In a letter titled Re: Letter of Resignation, dated January 8, 2024 and addressed to the national chairman of the Labour Party, Mr Julius Abure, Dr Okupe was silent on his next port of call in terms of political affliation.

Okupe, who was the National Publicity Secretary of the National Republican Convention (NRC) in the aborted Third Republic, recalled that he and the standard-bearer of the party in the 2023 presidential poll, Mr Peter Obi and others left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) abruptly “to look for a Special Purpose Vehicle in which to contest the election.”

He explained that as a rightist and a liberal democrat all his entire life, it was “this ideological conflict that was making him to seek an exit so that he could continue his political activities with liberalism, sincerity and freedom.

“We did contest the election on the platform of the Labour Party and lost. This makes it exceedingly difficult for me to continue to stay in the Labour Party which is ideologically rooted in the left of the centre,” he added.

Part of the one-page letter read: “I submit herewith my letter of resignation from the Labour Party with effect from today.

“You will recall that our flag-bearer, Mr Peter Obi, myself and others left the PDP abruptly and had to look for a Special Purpose Vehicle in which to contest the 2023 presidential election.

“The Labour Party, your good self, and other members of your executives provided us with this veritable platform with no burdensomeness whatsoever and for which we were extremely grateful.

“We did contest the election on the platform of the Labour Party and lost. This makes it exceedingly difficult for me to continue to stay in the Labour Party which is ideologically rooted in the left of the centre.

“I have been a rightist and a liberal democrat all my entire life. It is therefore this ideological conflict that makes me seek an exit so that I may continue my political activities with liberalism, sincerity and freedom.

“I wish to thank you in particular and other members of the leadership of the party for the cordiality and respect accorded to me as the director general of the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign organization.

“I wish you and the party success in your future endeavours.”

It will be recalled that in stepping down as the director-general of the LP presidential campaign council through a letter addressed to LP presidential candidate and dated December 20, 2022, Okupe  had stated: “Dear Peter, you will recall that I briefed you yesterday about my personal travails in seeking justice and clearing my name using the Nigerian Legal System to pursue same.

“I have invested too much in your campaign to allow my personal travails to become a source of distraction.”

Before then, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court Abuja, had found the Ogun State-born medical doctor cum politician guilty of 26 out of a 59-count charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He was convicted for two years imprisonment, but with an option of N500,000 fine on each of the counts. He later paid the fine.