The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has stated that the NLC is not aware of any merger discussions involving the Labour Party (LP) and other political parties. This comes amidst growing speculation about a potential alliance between the LP and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Labour Party, a socio-democratic party founded by organized labour, has been at the center of these merger rumors following meetings between its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and key figures in the PDP. Notably, Obi has reportedly met with PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, as well as prominent PDP members such as former Senate President Bukola Saraki and former Governor of Jigawa State Sule Lamido.
In 2019, Atiku and Obi ran together on the PDP ticket but were defeated by former President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Internal conflicts within the PDP led Obi to leave the party in 2022, subsequently running for president under the Labour Party in 2023.
Following a recent meeting with Obi, Atiku suggested that party members would decide their political direction for the 2027 elections. He indicated that if the PDP chose a South-East candidate for the presidency and selected Obi, he would fully support the decision. This statement has fueled further speculation about a possible merger or alliance between the LP and the PDP.
However, when questioned about the NLC’s stance on these merger talks and the potential implications for the Labour Party, Joe Ajaero clarified, “We are not aware of such talks.” This statement suggests that the NLC, a key stakeholder in the LP, has not been involved in or informed about any discussions that could lead to the dissolution or merging of the party.
The ongoing discussions and speculations are significant as they could reshape the political landscape ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. The potential alliance between the LP and PDP could present a formidable opposition to the ruling APC. However, the lack of awareness and involvement of the NLC in these talks raises questions about the transparency and inclusiveness of the negotiations.
As the political scenario continues to evolve, the stance of major stakeholders like the NLC will be crucial in determining the future of the Labour Party and its role in Nigeria’s democracy.
