…Labour Party rules out coalition, insists it won’t align with ‘spent forces’
By John Paul
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared its intention to unseat the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections, breaking months of silence about its presidential ambitions.
Speaking at a news conference in Abuja on Monday, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said the party was undergoing internal reforms and remained the only political platform with a truly national footprint.
“We are organic and nationally rooted. There is no community in Nigeria without a PDP presence,” Ologunagba said.
He claimed the party had left a legacy of development and impact during its time in government, reaching even the remotest parts of the country.
“Privately, people call me, urging us to unite and rescue the country,” he added, suggesting that public sentiment is shifting back in favour of the opposition.
Ologunagba dismissed the ruling APC as a “bad market” unlikely to retain power in 2027, regardless of the candidate it fields.
“No patriotic Nigerian will support the APC,” he said, pointing to the current state of the country as a reflection of failed leadership.
On recent defections from the PDP, Ologunagba downplayed their significance, insisting the party’s strength lies not just in its leadership but in its grassroots base. “While leaders are important, followers define a party. Our grassroots supporters are not leaving,” he noted.
He also announced that the party’s 101st National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting will be held from July 23 to 25, with letters of invitation already sent to all expected members.
The meeting will review reports from the zoning and convention committees, and ratify congresses held across the country in recent months.
Meanwhile, the Labour Party (LP) has ruled out joining any political coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.
This position was made clear at a media briefing in Abuja on Monday, following the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.
National Chairman Julius Abure, alongside National Secretary Alhaji Farouk Ibrahim, signed the NEC resolutions, which were attended by party officials and 2023 vice-presidential candidate, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed.
“NEC in session reiterates that the Labour Party will not be part of any coalition for the 2027 general election,” Abure said.
He argued that the 2023 coalition had been more impactful than many expected, and that the party was now focused on internal rebuilding and reconciliation.
“The Labour Party is ideologically distinct, with programmes and philosophy that address Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges,” he added.
Abure stressed that the LP cannot align with “politically spent forces who previously mismanaged the nation’s resources and opportunities.” He also condemned a parallel meeting held by a faction of the party on July 18 at Transcorp Hilton, describing it as unconstitutional and illegitimate. According to him, only the National Secretary, acting with the Chairman’s approval, has the authority to convene party meetings, as stated in Article 14(4)(B) of the LP Constitution.
Abure noted that the party’s National Convention, held on March 27 in Nnewi, was validated by the Supreme Court in a ruling delivered on April 4.
He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to respect this ruling and ignore the resolutions from the unauthorized meeting.
“NEC reaffirms confidence in the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee and calls for continued loyalty to party leadership,” he said.
Abure also confirmed that NEC had approved the conduct of congresses at state, local government, and ward levels, in line with the party’s constitution.
He praised Datti Baba-Ahmed for backing the current leadership and expressing interest in running for office again in 2027.