The Labour Party has officially declared its intention to challenge and remove President Bola Tinubu's All Progressives Congress administration in the upcoming 2027 general elections, citing widespread hardship and insecurity across Nigeria.
Party Unity and Strategic Positioning
During a significant gathering in Abeokuta, the Deputy National Chairman of the Labour Party, Dr Ayo Olorunfemi, emphasized that the party has achieved complete unity and is now operating as one cohesive political family. He dismissed any contrary statements as mere distractions that would not affect the party's focused preparation for the 2027 electoral contest.
Olorunfemi specifically called upon Nigerian workers to actively participate in the party's mission to rescue the nation from what he described as the APC's "clueless" governance. He clarified that workers possess constitutional rights to associate with any political organization of their choice.
Legal Framework for Worker Participation
The Labour Party leader referenced recent Supreme Court decisions that affirm civil servants' rights to political party membership. "The constitution allows freedom of association with any political party or trade union," Olorunfemi stated.
He further explained that while workers can hold executive positions within political parties, those seeking elective offices must either resign from their civil service roles or apply for leave of absence during their political campaigns.
Organizational Restructuring and Appointments
In a move signaling internal reconciliation, the party announced several key appointments during the Abeokuta event. Comrade Abayomi Arabambi was designated as the acting Vice Chairman for the Southwest region, while Lamidi Apapa, previously a factional chairman, was appointed as a member of the party's Board of Trustees.
Olorunfemi confirmed that the party is currently under the unified leadership of Julius Abure and emphasized that the forthcoming ward, local, and state congresses scheduled for December will further strengthen the party's structure.
The Deputy National Chairman stressed the importance of the Supreme Court's position regarding party leadership disputes, noting that Abure and his team were legitimately elected to the National Working Committee through a convention that remains legally valid.
Southwest Expansion Strategy
Newly appointed acting Vice Chairman for the Southwest, Abayomi Arabambi, expressed gratitude for his appointment and committed to transforming the Labour Party into the dominant political force in Ogun State by 2027.
Arabambi criticized Governor Dapo Abiodun's administration as incompetent and promised that a Labour Party government would prioritize transparency, responsibility, and citizen welfare above all other considerations.
The Labour Party's declaration sets the stage for intense political competition in the lead-up to the 2027 elections, with the party positioning itself as the primary alternative to the ruling APC administration.
