••••Says 2023 elections showcased its potential to independently challenge and unseat APC.
By Anastasia John E.
The Labour Party (LP) has confidently asserted its ability to win the 2027 presidential election without forming a coalition, highlighting its robust grassroots support and appeal among Nigerians.
In a recent interview with The PUNCH, LP National Publicity Secretary Obiora Ifoh emphasized that the party’s performance in the 2023 elections showcased its potential to independently challenge and unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“As it stands, the Labour Party has not been approached or invited to any meetings to discuss a coalition,” Ifoh stated. “What we see is that people are seeking alternatives and exploring how best to secure a decisive victory against the ruling APC.”
Ifoh further asserted, “The Labour Party did not require a coalition in 2023 when it garnered millions of votes from Nigerians who wanted the party to lead the nation. The electoral system played a trick on both Nigerians and the Labour Party. We know the LP has what it takes to win elections at the highest level, as demonstrated in 2023. If elections were held again today, the Labour Party would perform even better because the current government has failed. Everything the Labour Party stands for and advocated in 2023 is what Nigeria needs right now. Therefore, we do not need a coalition to win the election.”
However, Ifoh acknowledged that the LP has not entirely ruled out the possibility of a merger, provided the terms are favorable. “The idea of a coalition is not inherently negative. If the Labour Party is approached, we will evaluate it and consider its merits and drawbacks,” he said.
Ifoh’s comments come in response to speculation regarding a potential coalition between the LP, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) ahead of the 2027 elections. These rumors were recently dismissed by both Rabiu Kwankwaso of the NNPP and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the PDP, who denied any involvement in such discussions.
Kwankwaso, in a BBC Hausa interview last week, stated, “I have not communicated with either Atiku or Obi,” emphasizing his neutral stance throughout the previous year. Similarly, Peter Obi distanced himself from the rumors during a press conference, stating, “I am not a party to any arrangement of this nature.”
In contrast, the acting National Chairman of the PDP, Umar Damagum, argued that the PDP remains a crucial player in the political landscape. He asserted that President Bola Tinubu and the APC cannot be defeated in 2027 without a merger that includes the PDP.
“The PDP is the only party that has consistently won elections without being in power,” Damagum noted. “Senator Kwankwaso may have left, but how many states did he win with his new party? The facts speak for themselves. For over two decades, the PDP has maintained its identity and produced governors and lawmakers across the country. Even if four parties merge without the PDP, they cannot win an election. We’ve seen this play out repeatedly. Where are those parties now? Even their alliances with others have not yielded the desired results.”
