Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has stated that the Labour Party (LP) has no plans to merge with or join the African Democratic Congress (ADC), insisting that the party is already a coalition and remains focused on rebuilding its internal structures.
Otti made this known while announcing that the party would commence nationwide congresses from March, as part of moves to reposition the LP ahead of future elections.
He spoke against the backdrop of a recent Federal High Court judgment in Abuja, which recognised the executive faction of the party led by Senator Nenadi Usman as the authentic leadership. Following the ruling, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) uploaded the names of Usman and her executive team on its portal with the notation, “by order of court.”
Addressing key stakeholders on Sunday in Abuja, including members of the Board of Trustees, the National Working Committee (NWC) and leaders of organised labour, Otti said the party would soon roll out its congresses nationwide.
“INEC has been notified that very soon the congresses will happen. The national convention will also take place. A committee has been set up for the revalidation of members and the registration of new members, and very soon that will be in effect,” he said.
The governor expressed satisfaction with the upload of the party’s NWC leadership on INEC’s website, describing it as a positive development for the party’s stability.
Otti also acknowledged recent internal challenges, including the exit of the party’s former national leader and presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as well as the defection of some National Assembly members and interim national officials.
While expressing regret over Obi’s departure, Otti wished him well in his future endeavours.
“We regret the exit of the former leader of the party, the former presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi. While we regret it, I wish him well,” he said.
Despite the setbacks, Otti maintained that the Labour Party remains strong and committed to emerging stronger. He disclosed that a reconciliation committee would be constituted to engage aggrieved members willing to return and abide by the party’s rules.
He added that he had personally appealed to Julius Abure and his team to embrace peace and return to the party in the interest of unity.
Otti further revealed that the party might be unable to participate in the forthcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT) area council elections due to time constraints, but assured that the LP would actively participate in subsequent elections.
He described the stakeholders’ meeting as successful, noting that discussions centred on the conduct of congresses from ward level to the national convention, membership validation and the registration of new members.
Other prominent party figures at the meeting included the LP Caretaker Committee Chairman, Senator Nenadi Usman, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, as well as representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC).
Elijah Adeyemi
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