The Labour Party’s Presidential running mate in the 2023 general election, Dr Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has reconciled with the party’s leadership, which is led by Barr Julius Abure.
LP is divided into factions, with Abure leading one faction and Sen Nenadi Usman, backed by Abia State Governor Alex Otti, leading another group.
Both factions held executive meetings without the attendance of their 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
However, the appearance of Baba-Ahmed, Obi’s running mate in the 2023 general elections, sent a shock wave.
During yesterday’s Abure-led group meeting in Abuja, Baba-Ahmed, who was in attendance, called for unity and a renewed sense of purpose ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“The Labour Party is not a party to walk away from. The successes of this party cannot be ignored,” he said.
“We recorded over 10 million votes, which was later reduced to 6 million — we all know what happened. I am here as a peacemaker.
“In the past, a coalition succeeded in voting out a sitting Nigerian government. That is what we in the Labour Party aim to do in 2027,” Baba-Ahmed said.
Meanwhile, the Barr Julius Abure-led Labour Party has declared it will not join any political coalition for the 2027 General Elections.
Abure stated this during the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.
The NEC resolutions were signed by Julius Abure, the National Chairman, and Alhaji Farouk Ibrahim, the National Secretary.
He said the NEC meeting was attended by National Working Committee members, national officers, and Sen. Datti Baba-Ahmed, LP 2023 Vice Presidential candidate.
Abure said, “NEC in session reiterates that the Labour Party will not be part of any coalition for the 2027 general election.
“NEC believes the 2023 coalition was more impactful than any other. We will rebuild, reconcile, and consolidate the gains of that election.
“The Labour Party is ideologically distinct, with programmes and philosophy that address Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges.
“We therefore cannot align with politically spent forces who previously mismanaged the nation’s resources and opportunities.”
He added that NEC condemned a parallel meeting held by a party faction at Transcorp on Friday, July 18.
He stated the meeting violated the Labour Party Constitution and was not officially sanctioned.
“NEC dissociates from the meeting’s outcomes, including the renaming of the illegal Umuahia Caretaker Committee as an Interim National Working Committee.
“Illegality cannot be legitimised by rebranding. The so-called Interim NWC remains unlawful,” he said.
Abure explained that Article 14(4)(B) of the Constitution empowers only the National Secretary, with the Chairman’s approval, to convene meetings.
He insisted that there is no leadership vacuum in the Labour Party.
He added that the party held its National Convention on March 27 in Nnewi, following all legal frameworks and party rules.
“The Supreme Court validated the convention through its ruling delivered on April 4,” he said.
Abure, therefore, urged INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, to respect the Supreme Court ruling and related legal opinions.
“Based on this, NEC urges the public to disregard the so-called meeting and its resolutions.
“NEC reaffirms confidence in the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee and calls for continued loyalty to party leadership,” he said.
Abure said NEC also approved congresses at state, local government, and ward levels, in line with the party Constitution and applicable laws.
He commended Baba-Ahmed for supporting the leadership and declaring his intention to contest in 2027.
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