The Labour Party (LP) has stated that it is capable of winning the 2027 presidential election without forming a coalition.
Denying rumours of a coalition agreement with Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), LP insisted that it’s performance in the 2023 election demonstrates its potential to independently challenge and unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The LP National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, made the assertion on Sunday in an interview with Punch.
He insisted that LP has what it takes to win the 2027 election, emphasising their strong grassroots support and appeal to Nigerians.
He said, “As it stands, Labour Party has not been approached or invited to any meeting whatsoever to discuss a coalition. What we see already is that people are thinking of alternatives and how best elections can be won in a landslide against the ruling APC.
“Labour Party didn’t need any coalition in 2023 when it gathered millions of votes from Nigerians who wanted Labour Party to take over the leadership of the nation. We will continue to say that the system played a trick on both Nigerians and Labour Party.
“We know LP has what it takes to win elections at the highest level and we demonstrated that in 2023. If elections were to hold again today, Labour Party would even do it in a bigger way because the government of the day has failed. Everything that Labour Party stands for and canvassed in 2023 is what Nigeria needs at the moment. So we do not even really need a coalition to win the election.”
Ifoh, however, said the LP had not foreclosed the possibility of a merger if the terms were right
He said, “The idea of a coalition is not bad. If Labour Party is approached, the party will look into it to scrutinise see the merits and its demerits.
“Again, we only see individuals talking. The opposition parties have not called for any meeting or take the initiative for discussion until when the time comes.”
Ifoh’s statement comes in response to speculation fuelled by reports suggesting a possible coalition between LP, PDP, and NNPP ahead of the 2027 elections.