The Labour Party (LP) has extended an invitation to the 36 Lagos State House of Assembly members who backed the removal of Speaker Mudasiru Obasa and briefly installed his deputy, Mojisola Meranda, as the new speaker.
The party urged the lawmakers to join its ranks alongside its 2023 governorship candidate, Architect Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, in what it described as a mission to rescue Lagos from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The LP accused the ruling party of stifling democracy and called for its removal from power in the state.
Speaking at a press conference in Abeokuta, Ogun State, LP National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, condemned the APC’s handling of the Assembly crisis, particularly its efforts to reinstate Obasa despite allegations against him.
“Lagos State is now under the control of a group of ‘democracy assassins,’” Arabambi declared.
“It is, therefore, imperative to vote out the APC to prevent the total destruction of democratic values in the state.”
He criticized what he called a longstanding culture of political manipulation in Lagos, where, he alleged, a single individual wields power over electoral outcomes.
He also described the APC’s intervention in the leadership dispute at the Assembly as unconstitutional and undemocratic.
Arabambi further called out Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for remaining silent on the allegations against Obasa and demanded a response.
“The Labour Party National Working Committee, led by Barrister Julius Abure and Alhaji Farouk Umar Ibrahim, demands that Governor Sanwo-Olu address the allegations raised by the 36 lawmakers. If he fails to do so, he should either resign or face impeachment proceedings,” he stated.
The party expressed confidence in its ability to win the 2027 Lagos governorship election, positioning Rhodes-Vivour as its candidate.
It also dismissed recent criticisms from Abdul-Azeez Adeniran, a former PDP governorship candidate, insisting that Rhodes-Vivour remains the party’s flag bearer.
“There is no vacancy in the Labour Party for Lagos governorship. Architect Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour remains our sole candidate for the 2027 election,” Arabambi asserted.
The LP urged Lagos residents to support the 36 lawmakers and prepare for what it described as a battle to reclaim democracy in the state.
