The Usman Nenani-led faction of the Labour Party (LP) has denied any involvement in a proposed opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, the factional interim National Secretary, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, stated that the LP has not joined any such alliance.
He insisted the party remains focused on strengthening its internal structure.
Nwokocha distanced the LP from the coalition reportedly being championed by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and involving prominent opposition figures such as Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, and Nasir El-Rufai.
“Well, I don’t know about that. I don’t know if we are in the ring; no one has informed me,” he said.
“When you talk about a coalition Labour Party already has the internal structure for that. We are getting stronger.
”Commenting on Peter Obi’s reported participation in coalition talks, Nwokocha acknowledged Obi’s status as the party’s 2023 presidential candidate but clarified that his individual engagements do not translate into an official party position.On party leadership, Nwokocha declared that Julius Abure’s tenure as National Chairman had expired, attributing the rise of the interim leadership to what he called a “political accident.
”When asked about the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) continued recognition of Abure as chairman on its portal, he responded with a proverb:
“That you place your picture in a place does not make you the owner of the place.”Addressing the role of Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, in Friday’s NEC meeting, Nwokocha said Otti remains a legitimate member of the party’s National Executive Council under the constitution. He also confirmed that INEC was formally notified of the meeting.
He added that the former Women Leader, Usman, was absent due to an emergency but is expected to return before the weekend ends.On resolving the LP’s internal crisis, Nwokocha maintained that the issue had already been adjudicated by the courts.
