BY DAPO AKINREFON

WHEN the Labour Party (LP) was registered, not many gave it a chance. The party was formed in 2002 by the Nigerian Labour Congress and ever since it has proved critics wrong by not only surviving but also winning some electoral laurels.

A major break for the LP came when Dr Olusegun Mimiko contested on its platform and defeated the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to become the only Labour Party governor in Nigeria
In the South West, the party is not resting on its oars to ensure it becomes a force to reckon with.

As part of its drive to ensure more Nigerians join its fold, the party has embarked on a registration drive to achieve its purpose.
Last week, the party converged on Oyo State to commission its secretariat and also inaugurate its interim state executive.

The Labour Party office is situated at Molete, the political seat of the late strongman of Oyo politics, Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu.
As early as 9am, the Oke Ado road became busy as Labour Party supporters and decampees from the APC and PDP converged at the new party office.

The not-to busy road experienced traffic snarl as motorists and passers-by were attracted to the activities at the venue.
Party supporters defied the scorching sun to grace the occasion.

Popular Ibadan based Fuji artiste, Taye Currency was on ground to thrill spectators just as party members adorned themselves in the colourful Labour Party tee shirts and face caps.

A combined security of Policemen and officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and the State Security Service (SSS) were on ground to ensure crowd control.

ROLL CALL
Leading Labour Party stalwarts included the Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, National Chairman of the party, Mr. Dan Nwanyanwu, Deputy National Chairman, Hon Joseph Akinlaja, National Secretary, Alhaji Abdulkadir Salam, Mr. Gbenga Olayemi, Debo Oloogun-Agba and Alhaji Fatai Akingbade among others.

In his remarks, the Oyo State Interim Chairman, Comrade Bashiru Asafa, expressed delight that Governor Mimiko and other leaders attended the event.
Asafa, who addressed the crowd in Yoruba language, however, explained that the event was not a campaign rally but the commissioning of “our party secretariat.”

National chairman of the party, Mr. Nwanyanwu, on his part, appealed to both old and new members of the party not to jostle over positions yet.

Nwanyanwu said: “on behalf of the national executive of the party, I thank you for honouring us. Those of you who came from the PDP and APC are in a good progressive party because Labour Party is the only progressive party. We have room for everybody. Those of you who are new have been given waivers.”

The party’s chairman said that the party’s echelon was there not to campaign as the ban on campaigns has not been lifted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
He said: “we are here to commission our Oyo state office and inaugurate the interim state executives. We are not here for campaigns because the ban has not been lifted.”

LP is progressive –Mimiko
An elated governor Mimiko expressed joy at the crowd that besieged the newly commissioned party secretariat located on Lodge Street in Oke Ado road.

Mimiko, who addressed the cheering crowd in Yoruba, said, “What we saw in Ibadan today baffled us. We only came to commission our office and not for a rally but the crowd here have shown that Labour Party is the party of progressives.”

Taking a swipe at the APC, Mimiko said: “The difference between our party and the other party is that we are the most progressive party in Nigeria.
Some people only proclaim that they are progressives with their mouth but they are not. Our party is the only party that seeks to alleviate the lives of the people from the poverty line.”

Mimiko not only used the occasion to canvass support for his party, he also advised the people of Oyo state not to see President Goodluck Jonathan as their enemy.
”We want Labour Party to spread across Yoruba land because we are out to carter for the masses.

This is our message, we are a progressive party and we want you to join our party. Also do not see President Jonathan as your enemy because he means well for all of you”, Mimiko advised the people.
Observers of political events in the South West view the Labour Party’s latest efforts as being capable of whipping up public sympathy in the region.

Already, ahead of the gubernatorial elections in both Ekiti and Osun states, Messrs Opeyemi Bamidele and Alhaji Fatai Akingbade have pitched their tents with the Labour Party. This move, analysts posit, is causing stir in the political firmaments of the two states.