Big Shake-Up in Lagos Labour Party: Pastor Dayo Ekong Suspended Over Alleged Misconduct

 

In a major political development that is already making waves across Lagos State, the Labour Party (LP) has taken serious disciplinary action against two of its top officials. The party has announced the suspension of its former state chairperson, Pastor (Mrs) Dayo Ekong, along with another prominent member, Sam Okpala, citing gross misconduct and multiple violations of the party's constitution as the reasons for their removal.

This bold decision was revealed in an official statement released by the Lagos State Caretaker Executive Committee following a high-level meeting held to address pressing issues within the party. The leadership shake-up is part of what the party described as efforts to “restore order” and bring the Lagos chapter back in line with Labour Party’s constitutional principles.

The statement, which was jointly signed by Rotimi Odunaike, the Chairman of the Lagos State Caretaker Committee, and Dorcas I. Omorodion, the Secretary of the Committee, spelled out the reasons behind the disciplinary action in very clear terms.

Why Pastor Dayo Ekong Was Suspended

According to the statement, Pastor Dayo Ekong was found to be in violation of the party's constitution by holding two major positions simultaneously — a situation considered to be both unethical and unconstitutional. She had been serving as both the State Chairperson of the Labour Party in Lagos and the National Financial Secretary at the same time.

As a result of this, the party has imposed a six-month suspension on her. The statement emphasized this point clearly:

“The former state Chairman of the party, Pastor (Mrs) Dayo Ekong, is hereby suspended for six months for gross misconduct and breach of the constitution of the party by holding the offices of the state chairman and national financial secretary at the same time.”

This dual role was considered a major conflict of interest and a breach of the party's guiding principles. The party leadership stressed that such conduct could not be tolerated, especially in a party that claims to stand for transparency, accountability, and rule of law.

Suspension of Entire Former Executive Committee

But Pastor Ekong wasn’t the only one caught up in the wave of disciplinary actions. The Labour Party also extended its suspension to every member of the former Lagos State Executive Committee. The reason? According to the party, they had also engaged in "anti-party activities" and failed to uphold the constitutional responsibilities expected of their offices.

In the words of Odunaike:

“Every member of the erstwhile state executive committee is suspended for six months for failure to uphold the constitution of the party and for anti-party activities.”

This blanket suspension suggests that the party leadership is taking a hardline stance, aiming to clean house and enforce discipline within its ranks. It’s a dramatic move that signals the leadership’s intent to reorganize and reposition the party in Lagos ahead of any future elections or political engagements.

Dissolution of Local Government and Ward Executives

The sweeping disciplinary action didn’t stop at the state level. The party also moved swiftly to dissolve all Local Government and Ward Executive Committees across Lagos State. These structures, which were created under the leadership of Pastor Ekong, have also been suspended for six months, again on the grounds of anti-party activities.

The statement was clear on this point:

“All the Local Government and Ward Executive Committees in Lagos State appointed by the Pastor (Mrs) Dayo Ekong-led Exco are hereby dissolved and their members suspended for six months for anti-party activities, with immediate effect.”

This development means that, effectively, the entire local structure of the Labour Party in Lagos has been dismantled. From the grassroots level up to the state level, the party is now under the control of the Caretaker Committee, which will presumably oversee the rebuilding and reorganization process.

What This Means for Labour Party in Lagos

This is not just an internal administrative matter — it’s a major shake-up that could have far-reaching political consequences. For a party that has been gaining traction in Lagos, especially among younger voters and those seeking an alternative to the dominant political parties, this level of internal crisis could either be a turning point for reform or a source of deeper division.

Observers say the suspensions and dissolutions show that the national leadership of the Labour Party is serious about discipline, especially in key states like Lagos. But others caution that such drastic measures could create rifts or weaken party structures if not managed carefully.

Whatever happens next, one thing is clear: The Labour Party in Lagos is undergoing a major transformation, and the actions taken against Pastor Dayo Ekong and her allies mark a new chapter in its political journey. How it navigates this storm will determine its strength in the months and years ahead.

Stay tuned to NaijaRush for more updates on this developing story.