In a dramatic shift for the Labour Party in Lagos, stakeholders have officially taken control of the state secretariat, following a pivotal Supreme Court ruling that ousted the party’s National Chairman, Julius Abure, and state chairpersons who were found to have been improperly appointed.
What was initially expected to be a straightforward transition of power quickly turned into a tense and revealing moment for the party. As stakeholders moved in to take over the secretariat, they made a series of alarming discoveries that have left many questioning the integrity of the former leadership.
One of the most shocking revelations came from the office of Pastor Dayo Ekong, the former State Chairperson. Hidden away under the guise of a routine transition, over 200 bags of rice were found stashed away in the office, reportedly intended for party members and grassroots stakeholders. The rice, which was meant to be distributed as part of the party’s outreach, was allegedly hoarded under Pastor Ekong’s direct orders. A security guard at the secretariat, speaking anonymously, confirmed that he had been instructed on several occasions to load these bags into Ekong’s vehicle, sparking concerns that even more bags may have been diverted than what was discovered.
However, the unsettling surprises didn’t stop there. Beneath a desk drawer, stakeholders stumbled upon a mysterious and unsettling object: a calabash wrapped in red cloth, decorated with feathers, and containing an unknown substance. The item, with its clearly ritualistic appearance, raised immediate alarm, especially considering Pastor Ekong’s self-proclaimed status as a pastor.
The discovery of the calabash sent ripples of fear through the room. After a brief moment of stunned silence, the stakeholders decided to take action. The calabash was moved outside, where they found several pieces of paper with names written on them, attached to the ritualistic object. Some stakeholders, visibly shaken, immediately set the items ablaze, while others gathered in prayer to confront the disturbing implications of what they had found.
One stakeholder, speaking to the press, expressed deep concern: “It is deeply disturbing that such an object would be found in the office of someone who claims to be a pastor. The presence of this raises many questions. We are confronting this both spiritually and legally. We won’t release the names found on the paper because they are party members, but we will confront this issue directly with them.”
The incident has led the stakeholders to announce a thorough review of the secretariat’s operations and finances. They described the hoarding of party relief items as “regrettable,” emphasizing that the party is committed to rebuilding trust and ensuring that resources meant for the grassroots are used appropriately.
“This is a new dawn for the Labour Party in Lagos,” one stakeholder declared. “We are committed to transparency, accountability, and unity. Our goal is to restore the confidence of our members and build a party that is truly for the people.”
The Supreme Court’s ruling, which effectively nullified the leadership of Julius Abure, is seen as a watershed moment for the party. In response, the stakeholders have called for an all-inclusive convention to restore democratic principles, engage the energetic youth base, and ensure a more transparent and fair process moving forward.
As the Labour Party enters this critical transitional phase, members remain hopeful that these shocking revelations will serve as a turning point for a stronger, more accountable party, ready to take on the challenges ahead and rebuild the trust of its supporters across Lagos and beyond.