Doyin Okupe, the former Director General of Peter Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Organization, has resigned from the Labour Party (LP), citing ideological differences that emerged after the 2023 elections.
Okupe, who played a prominent role in the campaign, explained that his alignment with right-wing and liberal democratic principles clashed with the left-of-centre ideology of the Labour Party, making continued membership untenable.
In a letter made available to journalists on Monday, Okupe stated, “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 continued that, “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.”
Okupe expressed gratitude to the party leadership for the cordiality and respect accorded to him during the campaign. He concluded the letter with well wishes for the party’s future endeavours and for the Federal Republic of Nigeria.