Mimiko
Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State has dispelled rumours about his defecting from the LP to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The governor made this known at the end of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja yesterday where the national chairman of LP, Chief Dan Nwanyanwu also stated that Mimiko’s attendance at the NEC meeting puts paid to reports that he has dumped the LP. He further said he would step down as the party’s chairman and not seek re-election, having being the chairman since 2004.
At the end of the NEC meeting, Governor Mimiko in a terse response to reporters’ question about his defection said: “It is all rumours and I do not react to rumours.” This however contradicts his attending the PDP South-West caucus meeting Tuesday night in Abuja which propelled reports of his defection to the party.
However, Nwanyanwu was more categorical in dismissing the rumoured defection of Mimiko as he told newsmen that Mimiko remains a bonafide member of the Labour Party.
Hear him: “Governor Mimiko is still a bonafide member of the Labour Party and that is why he is here. We do not believe in speculation. He attended our NEC meeting as a full fledged party member. Mimiko has not announced that he has left the Labour Party.”
The outgoing chairman went on to use the occasion to disclose his imminent exit as party chairman saying though there is no term limit for the chairmanship position in the party’s constitution, it was time for him to bow out after 10 years in office.
The event also attracted labour union leaders including the NLC president, Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar as well as the Trade Union Congress (TUC) represented by its ex-officio and former President, Comrade Peter Esele .
Esele and the newly appointed national secretary of NLC Peter Ozo-Ezon were unanimous in saying issues relating to their non-active participation in the party’s affairs have been resolved, hence the labour party would now be embraced by members of the nation’s protectorate.
The party’s third national convention will hold at a meeting already slated for October 4 in Akure, Ondo State where the party’s constitution will be amended with new leaders elected.
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