Doyin Okupe, former head of the Labour Party’s presidential campaign, has resigned from the party.
In a letter addressed to the leadership of the party on Monday Okupe cited ideological differences that emerged after the 2023 elections as reason for his resignation from the party.
Okupe explained that his lifelong alignment with right-wing and liberal democratic principles clashed with Labour’s left-of-centre ideology, making his continued membership untenable.
The letter reads, “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.
“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 centre.
“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.
“I wish to thank you in particular and other members of the leadership of the party for the cordiality and respect accorded to me as the Director General of the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Organization.
“I wish you and the party success in your future endeavours. Long live the Labour Party. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria…”