Dr. Dennis Aikoriogie, a candidate for the Edo State governorship in the Labour Party, has resigned from the organization, claiming that some leaders were taking sides.
In addition to claiming that outsiders and wealthy individuals have taken over the party, he voiced concern that the leaders might not be impartial during the primary election.
He added that the people who, along with others like him, have contributed to the party’s current state have been pushed to the side.
Aikoriogie announced that he would pursue his political ambitions elsewhere in a letter that was copied to the party’s national, state, and local government chairmen and addressed to the LP Ward 9 Chairman in Egor Local Government.
Part of the letter stated: “I hereby turn in my letter of resignation as a Labour Party member, effective immediately.
This stems from the partisanship and perceived bias of the party executive during the run-up to the Edo State gubernatorial election; many party executive members have integrated themselves into campaign organizations that are vying for the position of governor. This action may prevent equal opportunities for other candidates.
“The only reason I joined the Labour party was because of Peter Obi, who has a distinguished career and a model lifestyle in both the public and private spheres. Given my perception of the Labour Party’s potential to usher in a new era of ideology and my understanding of Nigerian politics, I decided to take on the role of Global Coordinator for Diaspora Strong for Peter Obi. This support network spans all continents and has successfully raised funds, recruits, and provides materials for candidates running for state and federal legislatures as well as national office.
Additionally, the group gave financial support to Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, a candidate for governor of Lagos, and Beatrice Itubo, a candidate for governor of Rivers.
Before, during, and after the presidential election, I have seen that my contribution to the party is undervalued; what is even more upsetting is that other candidates from the diaspora, including myself, are being ignored.
The candidates who have recently joined the party, whether from other parties or those who are seen as moneybags, are the ones who set the party’s agenda. There is a false belief that the legitimacy and acceptability of a candidate are unimportant in Nigeria, and that money alone can win elections there.
I’m quitting the party to pursue my political goals elsewhere, based on these and other grounds. I hope the party has success with its upcoming endeavors.
The state chairman of the party, Kelly Ogbaloi, responded to the accusation by calling it unfounded and advising Aikoriogie to leave the party without offering weak justifications.
“I can assure you that the Labour Party will uphold moral principles during my tenure as state chairman,” he declared. When candidates recognize that he is unable to compete, he ought to withdraw quietly without offering weak justifications such as accusations that party leaders are siding with one another.
“He made an egregiously unsupported statement. Which of these leaders is involved in this, he ought to be able to identify. If he brings that up, the exco will look into it and take the appropriate action.
“Our exco ought to remain impartial.” As long as they go to the primaries and one of the candidates wins, all of the contenders are equal in terms of ability. Nobody is superior to the others right now among all of them. When a leader backs a candidate, is that right? Only a candidate who emerges is eligible for your support.
“Aikoriogie’s capacity is, in my opinion, seriously lacking. What I mean by this is that he is unable to attract delegates to his cause, which is why he is making these unfounded excuses.
