Doyin Okupe, the formee Director General of Peter Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Organisation, has recently severed ties with the Labour Party.
In his resignation letter, disclosed to the media on Monday, Okupe attributed his departure to ideological discrepancies arising from the post-2023 election climate.
Notably, in December 2023, Okupe faced conviction by the Federal High Court in Abuja, following an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission prosecution for money laundering amounting to N700m. His charges included the illicit receipt of funds from former National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki, intended for arms procurement.
Despite a two-year jail sentence, Okupe opted for a fine of N13m, enabling him to evade imprisonment. A day after the money laundering conviction, he formally withdrew from Peter Obi’s campaign while pledging continued support and allegiance to the Labour Party’s presidential candidate.
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 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 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.
