The Labour Party (LP) has firmly ruled out any possibility of merging with another political party ahead of the 2027 general elections, dismissing recent calls from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for a rebranding effort that could include a merger or coalition. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, made this position clear in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, stressing that such a move is not under consideration.
Ifoh also cautioned the NLC leadership against interfering in the party’s internal affairs, urging the union to desist from making decisions on behalf of LP. His statement was in response to a communique issued by the NLC National Executive Council (NEC) after a meeting in Yola, Adamawa State, in which the labour union reiterated its determination to reclaim and reposition the party in line with its founding ideological principles.
The NLC, in the communique signed by its President, Joe Ajaero, instructed its National Administrative Council to take immediate steps to rebrand the Labour Party. This, it said, could involve merging with like-minded parties or forming strategic alliances to safeguard both the party’s interests and those of Nigerian workers.
However, the Labour Party has pushed back against this directive, maintaining that while it is open to collaborations that will strengthen its political standing, a full-scale merger is not on the table. Ifoh reiterated that LP remains focused on consolidating its gains from the 2023 elections and preparing for future contests under its current structure and leadership.
The tensions between the Labour Party and the NLC stem from a longstanding leadership dispute. The NLC has yet to formally recognize Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party, despite his re-election at the party’s convention in Anambra State last year. The union has continued to question the legitimacy of his leadership and has consistently pushed for changes within the party’s structure.
Political analysts believe that the rift between the LP and the NLC could significantly impact the party’s prospects in 2027, especially as it seeks to maintain its influence as a key opposition force. With the NLC historically playing a pivotal role in LP’s formation, its calls for restructuring could create deeper divisions, potentially affecting party unity ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Despite these challenges, the Labour Party insists it remains focused on strengthening its presence across Nigeria and building a formidable platform capable of challenging the ruling party in the upcoming elections. However, with the NLC pushing for sweeping changes, the battle over the party’s direction appears far from over.
