The national leadership of the Labour Party has disassociated itself from the secretary general of the Yoruba Socio-Political Group, Afenifere, Chief Olusola Ebiseni, who declared he is the party’s candidate in the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State.
Labour Party, in a statement by its national publicity secretary, Obiora Ifoh, said Dr. Ayo Olorunfemi emerged as its flag bearer in the Ondo State governorship election after its primaries held in Akure in June.
He also said Ebiseni who contested for the governorship of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state but lost, is yet to relinquish his PDP membership, nor has he formally identified with the Labour 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 (INEC). His name was subsequently submitted to INEC and was published as the Labour Party’s duly nominated candidate for the Ondo election.
“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.
“We also took note of some persons who are not members of the Labour Party but believed to be working for the Nigeria Labour Congress who must have been urging him on in their blind and illegitimate pursuit of the leadership of the party even when the Appeal Court has affirmed Barrister Julius Abure as the authentic chairman of the Labour Party.
“Impersonation is a serious crime in Nigeria and we therefore urge the Nigeria Police, the Department of the State Security and all other security agencies to apprehend anyone impersonating or being used to fight a proxy battle by way of impersonation.
“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. We think that this unholy alliance between Ebiseni and APC sponsored NLC is geared towards frustrating our expected victory at the polls but we will resist it through every legal means.
“We are therefore calling on our party members in Ondo, particularly 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 our votes and make sure our votes count.”