Labour Party looks for possible replacement for Doyin Okupe

Validview Network had earlier reported that Doyin Okupe, the director general of the Labour Party’s presidential campaign, has resigned as he said his decision will allow him to go to court to defend his corruption case and enable the party he supports to avoid distraction.

In a letter to his principal, Mr. Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate, he informed him of his intention.

He wrote, “Dear Peter, you will recall that I briefed you yesterday (Monday) about my travails in seeking justice and clearing my name using the Nigerian legal system to pursue same.

“I have invested too much in your campaign to allow my travails to become a source of distraction.

“In the circumstances, I have decided to step aside and plead that you appoint a new campaign DG who can continue the assignment with zero distractions. God bless you and your family.”

Recollect that Okupe was found guilty on Monday by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of a Federal High Court in Abuja of receiving more than N200 million in cash from former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki.

Okupe, the first defendant in the lawsuit brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was found to have broken the Money Laundering Act, according to Justice Ojukwu.

ADVERTISEMENT

The judge found that “there is no proof that the money passed through a financial institution,” despite the fact that the Act mandates that no person or organization receive any sum over N5 million or N10 million without first proceeding through a financial institution. The court consequently held that the first defendant, Dr Okupe was guilty in counts 34, 35, 36, and 59.

The Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) responded to the earlier ruling through its media officer, Diran Onifade, and verified that Okupe had paid the N13 million punishment the court had imposed on him.

He asserted that because they respect the law, their representatives will swiftly abide by court orders.

Onifade responded that the PCC cannot influence Okupe’s decision to appeal the judgment because that is a personal choice.

In the meantime, there have been rumors that the Labour Party may look at appointing someone else to the position of Director-General of its 2023 Presidential Campaign Council in place of Okupe.

On Monday, a party source indicated that negotiations to replace Okupe were still going on. The decision would reportedly be made jointly by all parties involved, including Okupe.

Despite the source’s refusal to name potential candidates, there are indications that a former presidential adviser named Akin Oshuntokun is the front-runner to succeed Okupe.