President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has stated that members of the Labour Party (LP), including its 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, are free to associate with any political group or platform of their choice.
Ajaero made the clarification amid growing controversy over Obi’s participation in a new opposition coalition involving the African Democratic Congress (ADC). He emphasized that such associations are personal and do not represent official party positions.
“Any LP member can go anywhere as a visitor, guest, or host,” Ajaero said. “If I go somewhere, it doesn’t mean the Labour Party went there. We must distinguish between individuals and the party.”
He reiterated that the Labour Party is not in any merger or coalition talks, asserting that it remains capable of contesting and winning the 2027 general elections on its own.
On Obi’s status, Ajaero noted: “He has said after the meeting that he is still a member of LP. I believe Obi is in the best position to speak for himself. As far as I know, he hasn’t resigned from the party.”
His remarks come in response to a 48-hour ultimatum issued by the Julius Abure-led faction of the LP, demanding Obi’s resignation following his appearance at the opposition coalition event. The faction’s spokesperson, Obiora Ifoh, dismissed the coalition as a gathering of “recycled, desperate, and frustrated politicians.”
Ajaero, however, rejected the ultimatum and questioned the legitimacy of Abure’s leadership, reaffirming the NLC’s foundational role in the Labour Party.
