Akin Osuntokun Replaces Okupe As Obi-Datti Campaign DG, Faces First Battle As Abayomi Wants His Resignation in 5 Days
Labour Party has appointed Balogun Akin Osuntokun as the Director-General of its Presidential Campaign Council. He replaces Dr. Doyin Okupe who has since resigned but now facing his first battle as Labour Party gets 5-day ultimatum for him to resign. .
Okupe resigned after being convicted by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of a Federal High Court in Abuja on December 19, 2022 after she found Okupe guilty of receiving over N200 million cash from former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki, ruling that his action violated the Money Laundering Act.
The court held that Okupe was guilty in counts 34, 35, 36, and 59 and sentenced him to two years imprisonment with an option of a fine.
Okupe, an ally of Peter Obi right from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before the duo joined the Labour Party, subsequently paid a N13m fine and escaped being jailed.
Okupe has since filed an appealed against the judgment convicting him, saying that he did no wrong.
The appointment of Balogun Akin Osuntokun was announced in a statement issued by Head of Media, Obi-Baba Ahmed Campaign Organisation, Diran Onifade, on Tuesday in Abuja.
Until his appointment, Osuntokun was the Zonal Coordinator (South) of the campaign council.
Akin Osuntokun is a political scientist, strategist, researcher, administrator, journalist and writer, with experience in media advocacy, policy research and implementation and political analysis. He was appointed as a Political Adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo between 1999 and 2007.
In 2011, Akin Osuntokun became the Director of the Presidential Campaign of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2011 general elections.
Akin Osuntokun has served as the managing director of Odua Printing Corporation, News Agency of Nigeria, sat on the board of several public corporations and also contributes to newspaper columns.
Akin Osuntokun is the current Balogun of Okemesi – which translates to the war commander of Okemesi Ekiti where he hails from. This title was once held by Fabunmi of Okemesi, who led the Kiriji War between 1877 and 1893.
In July 2021, Akin Osuntokun was named by the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi as the chairman of the Ooni caucus alongside 27 other members.
Meanwhile the newly appointed Director General of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council (LPPCC), Akin Osuntokun, has been issued a 5-day ultimatum to resign or face Court action that would compel him to do so.
The call came barely twenty-four hours after the announcement of Mr. Akin Osuntokun, as the new director general of the Labour Party, Presidential Campaign Council (LPPCC).
The controversial and suspended national publicity secretary of the Labour Party, Comrade Arabambi Abayomi who made this call also issued five days ultimatum to the Labour Party and its new Director General Mr. Akin Osuntokun for his resignation or face Court action.
He aaccused Osuntokun of pursuing a senatorial ambition on Zenith Labour Party and driving the campaign of Labour Party presidential candidate at the same time.
