Otti: No coalition with opposition political parties

…to hold congresses next month

…sets conditions for Abure, others to return to the party

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has ruled out the participation of the Labour Party in any coalition to oust the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from power in 2027.

Otti said this during the first stakeholders’/ National Executive Council (NEC) meeting after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recognised the leadership of Senator Nenadi Usman, the Interim National Chairman of the party.

The meeting, which was 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.

The Abia state governor said that the Labour Party was already a coalition on its own, comprising the Nigerian workers and people of progressive minds.

Otti said, “Labour is already a coalition. This is the coalition of Nigerian workers and people who are progressive and 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, Peter Obi, as well as several lawmakers in the National Assembly to the African Democratic Congress.

Added, “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.

“The NEC acknowledged that the party has lost some members, particularly those elected under its platform into the National Assembly, as well as some caretaker committee officers who have since been replaced. However, it maintained that the party remains strong.”

He also said the party would hold congresses from March 2026 and begin a nationwide revalidation of its membership, alongside the registration of new members.

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.”

The meeting further agreed to establish a reconciliation committee to engage aggrieved members willing to return to the party.

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He called on the former National Chairman, Julius Abure, and his team to sheath their swords and return to the party, while also urging Nigerians to join the Labour Party.

He added, “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 thanked INEC for recognising the Interim National Committee and uploading the names of the party’s leadership on its website in compliance with the Federal High Court of Abuja order.

The party also regretted that it would not be able to participate in the February 21 Federal Capital Territory area councils election.

The Abia governor also thanked supporters of the party and assured them that the Labour Party would emerge stronger and more united.

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.