2027: Why Labour Party is not party to anti-Tinubu coalition – Otti

extend olive branch to Abure, others

By John Alechenu

The Abia State Governor, Alex Otti who doubles as the National Leader of the Labour Party (LP) has distanced the party from talks of a possible opposition coalition to oust the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from power in 2027.

Otti said this while fielding questions from reporters during the first stakeholders’/ National Executive Council (NEC) meeting after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), recognized the leadership of Senator Nenadi Usman.

The meeting which held in Abia Governor’s Lodge, Abuja, late on Saturday, had in attendance representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, Senator Usman and other members of the party’s Interim National Working Committee.

According to Otti, the Labour Party is already a coalition on its own comprising the Nigerian workers and people of progressive minds.

He said, “Labour is already a coalition. This is the coalition of Nigerian workers and people who are progressive like-minded.

“So, I know when people talk about joining another coalition. We have no such plans.”

The governor also expressed the party’s regret over the defection of its 2023 Presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi as well as several lawmakers in the National Assembly, he however said, “We wish him well. Our party remains strong.”

Earlier, while speaking about the outcome of the meeting, Governor Otti said, “The National Working Committee and other stakeholders are to organise congresses from the ward to zonal level till the national convention. The timetable has been drafted and INEC has been notified. Very soon, the congresses will happen and the national convention will follow.

“The other issue is the revalidation of membership and a committee has been set up for congresses to start in March.

“We regret the exit of the former leader of the party, Peter Obi. While we regret his exit, we wish him well. We have also resolved that the party should come together.

“We also decided that we need to set up a reconciliation committee, the Interim National Working Committee will advise us on it. The whole idea is to reconcile everyone who is willing and desires to come back.

“I call on Julius Abure and his people to sheath their swords and come back to the party if they are willing to abide by the rules of the party we will be happy to take them back.”

Otti equally expressed regret that the party would be unable to participate in the forthcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT) council elections because of circumstances beyond its control but expressed confidence that the party would be ready for subsequent elections.

However, Abure and his team have since vowed to challenge INEC’s decision to recognize Usman in Court.

Factional National Publicity Secretary of the party, Obiora Ifoh, told Vanguard, “This travesty of Justice shall not stand. We remain confident in our judicial system, the court order being relied upon to perpetuate this action will be upturned on appeal. We are appealing.”

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