Aformer Director-General of Peter Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Organisation, Doyin Okupe, has dumped the Labour Party.
Okupe shared his resignation letter with newsmen in Abuja on Monday, adding that ideological differences in the post-2023 elections were the basis for his departure from the party.
The former DG was in December 2023 convicted by the Federal High Court in Abuja after being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for money laundering to the tune of N700million.
He was accused of illegally receiving money from former National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki from the funds meant for arms procurement
He was jailed for two years but the judge placed an option of a fine of N13m, which he took and avoided time in prison.
Okupe, a day after his conviction for money laundering, announced his withdrawal from the campaign of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, but vowed his support and loyalty to the party’s flagbearer.
In his resignation, Okupe said, “I submit herewith my letter of resignation from the Labour Party with effect from today. You will recall that our flagbearer, 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 Elections.
“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.”
He added, “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 center.
“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 Organisation.”
“I wish you and the party success in your future endeavors. Long live the Labour Party. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Your brother, friend and compatriot, Omooba (Dr Doyin Okupe, Former Director General Obi-Datti Campaign Organisation,” he prayed
SaharaReporters had in October 2023 reported that Okupe was hospitalised for cancer.
SaharaReporters had learnt that Okupe returned from Israel where he was being treated for prostate cancer.
However, it was learnt his condition had not improved as at then.
