Labour Party Suspends House Of Reps Member In Lagos State

Seyi Sowunmi

The Ojo Local Government Area of the Labour Party (LP) in Lagos State, has suspended Seyi Sowunmi, the lawmaker representing Ojo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

The suspension of the lawmaker was made known in a statement on Wednesday signed by the Labour Party chapter Chairman, Oluwanifemi Elegbede and Secretary Blessing Okafor.

The party accused Sowunmi of failure to appear before the party’s disciplinary panel after a 24-hour summon following charges of gross insubordination, failure to attend ward meetings, and non-registration in any Ojo LGA ward levelled against him.

Other allegations levelled against the lawmaker include refusal to work with existing party leadership, attempting to remove constituted leadership without following party procedures, and taking the party to court without exhausting internal dispute resolution mechanisms.

The LP leadership said the suspension, which is immediate and lasts for three months, is in line with Articles 20(B3), 20(B5), and 20(B7) of the party constitution.

“Your refusal to appear before the disciplinary committee as requested in the summons shows gross insubordination to the party (Article 20(B3).

“Not attending any ward meeting which you claim to be a member of.

“As both Ward A and D of Ojo LGA, Labour Party, have sent in letters prior to now, stating that you are not a registered member of their wards.

“This is against the party constitution, Article 20(B5).

“Your refusal to work with the existing party leadership at all levels and attempt to remove constituted party leadership at all levels without going through the lay-down procedure as provided in the party constitution (Article 20(B7).

“Taking the party to court without exhausting all constitutionally provided internal dispute resolution mechanism.

“Based on the recommendations from the disciplinary committee, Ojo Labour Party hereby suspends you from the party for a period of three months with immediate effect,” the statement said.