Mass Exodus from Labour Party: 50+ Members Resign over Faiza Shaheen’s Deselection

Over 50 members of the Labour Party have quit in protest over the “unfair” deselection of Faiza Shaheen as the party’s candidate for the Ilford North constituency in northeast London. Shaheen, a Muslim woman and prominent anti-racist activist, was deselected on Monday after a vote by local party members. Her supporters allege that the vote was rigged and that there were irregularities in the selection process. In a statement, the group of resigning members said they were “disgusted” by the deselection and accused the party of “failing to live up to its values of equality and fairness.” They also claimed that Shaheen had been unfairly targeted due to her Muslim faith. The mass resignation is a major blow to the Labour Party, which has long been accused of being institutionally Islamophobic. It also highlights the growing divisions within the party over issues of identity and representation. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said that he is “concerned” by the allegations of unfairness in the deselection process. He has ordered an independent investigation into the matter. The deselection of Faiza Shaheen has sparked outrage across the Labour Party and beyond. Many prominent Labour figures, including London Mayor Sadiq Khan, have condemned the decision. The mass resignation of party members is a clear indication of the depth of feeling over this issue. It remains to be seen whether the Labour Party will be able to address the concerns of its members and rebuild trust within the Muslim community.

Key Points:

* Over 50 Labour Party members have resigned in protest over the deselection of Faiza Shaheen. * Shaheen’s supporters allege that the vote was rigged and that there were irregularities in the selection process. * The resigning members accuse the party of “failing to live up to its values of equality and fairness.” * Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has ordered an independent investigation into the matter. * The deselection has sparked outrage across the Labour Party and beyond, highlighting the growing divisions within the party over issues of identity and representation.Nigerian Escapes Kidnapping and Murder During Military Rule

Nigerian Escapes Kidnapping and Murder During Military Rule

Yomi Faparusi, a Nigerian-American residing in the United States, has recounted his near-fateful encounter with agents of the State Security Service (SSS) during the oppressive military regime in Nigeria. Faparusi revealed that he was targeted for elimination as a student union leader who mobilized students to protest against the arrest of the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Late MKO Abiola. The late General Sani Abacha, who seized power after the election annulment, had become increasingly brutal and allegedly sent assassins after pro-democracy activists. Narrating his experience, Faparusi described how he noticed three men in SSS uniforms following him at Aleshinloye market in Ibadan. He quickly hid in a nearby store, and when he tried to leave, he realized the men were waiting for him. Fortunately, a shop owner allowed him to remain hidden, and he was later dropped off at a safe location. “After escaping from the market, I remained underground,” Faparusi said. “But when I found out that some of my comrades had started disappearing, I decided to flee Nigeria.” Despite being a medical student at the University of Ibadan, Faparusi became actively involved in student union activism and collaborated with the Nigerian Labor Congress (NLC) on protest strategies. He also defended the concept of dispersed and sequential strikes to maintain continuous resistance against the military junta. Upon arriving in the United States, Faparusi continued to participate in events organized by the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) and praised the resilience of Nigerians who stood up against Abacha’s illegitimate regime. He emphasized that the sacrifices made during the June 12 struggle paved the way for the current civilian government in Nigeria. Faparusi urged young Nigerians to take their right to vote seriously and honor the memory of those who had died fighting for electoral justice. He emphasized the importance of exercising their democratic rights to ensure that such injustices are never repeated.