LP members free to associate with ADC, says NLC president

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, has declared that the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, is at liberty to associate with any political coalition or platform of his choice.

Ajaero said any member of the LP could associate with the African Democratic Congress, either as visitor or guess.

He, however, reiterated that LP was not involved in any merger or alliance talks, insisting that the party was capable of winning the 2027 general elections on its own strength.

Ajaero said, “We have said it before and we are saying it again. The Labour Party is not in any coalition or merger with any party.

“On Peter Obi associating with the ADC, let me say that any LP member can go anywhere either as a visitor, guest or host.

“If I go somewhere now, it doesn’t mean that it is Labour Party that went there. We have to distinguish individuals from party. Obi also said after the meeting that he is still a member of LP. I think we need to make that clear.

“Having said that, I think Obi is in a better position to speak for himself. Even as we speak, I am not sure if he has equally resigned from the Labour Party. Has he?”

Ajaero’s comment comes amid growing controversy surrounding Obi’s participation in a newly formed opposition coalition, which prompted the Julius Abure-led faction of the party to issue a 48-hour ultimatum demanding his resignation.

In a statement released in Abuja, the faction’s spokesman, Obiora Ifoh, rejected any association with the coalition, describing it as a gathering of “recycled, desperate and frustrated politicians.”

But Ajaero dismissed the directive, questioning the legitimacy of Abure’s leadership and reaffirming the NLC’s founding role in the party.

“Anybody who is not working with us or the working people but claim that he is the party chairman is a daydreamer. When the chips are down, we will say we don’t know you.

“It is even more worrisome when such persons are among those still going through our apprenticeship and they jump up to say they know more than their fathers. The NLC that founded the LP is still there. We have not abandoned our party.

“I urge every Nigerian to reach to the liberal class, the working people, farmers, traders and all artisans to own the party. That is what is done all over the world, including Britain where Labour Party is in government.

“You can see from what happened in the 2023 election where people were given free nomination forms and an Okada rider made it to the National Assembly. None of us here can afford to buy a form for N100 million. Where are we going to get the money? So this is the only party that has hope for the common people,” Ajaero added.