Labour Party merger coalition controversy grows as NLC insists LP is not in talks, while Peter Obi remains free to associate with any platform of his choice

The Labour Party merger coalition controversy deepened on Friday as Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero, clarified that the party was not in any alliance talks, despite Peter Obi’s recent appearance at an opposition gathering.

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Ajaero stated that Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has the liberty to associate with any political platform. “Any LP member can go anywhere either as a visitor, guest or host,” he said.

He emphasised that such appearances do not represent official party action. “If I go somewhere now, it doesn’t mean that it is Labour Party that went there,” Ajaero noted.

Obi’s presence at an event hosted by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) sparked speculation about an emerging opposition coalition, triggering a 48-hour resignation ultimatum from the Julius Abure-led LP faction. In response, Ajaero questioned Abure’s authority and reiterated NLC’s foundational 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,” he said.

He accused such individuals of lacking legitimacy and criticised them for trying to undermine the party’s grassroots identity. “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,” Ajaero said.

Ajaero reaffirmed that LP remains the only viable party for ordinary Nigerians. “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.”

“The Labour Party is still owned by the working class. We have not abandoned our party,” he declared.

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Obi, for his part, has confirmed he remains a Labour Party member.