Barr. Julius Abure, LP National Chairman, 

The Labour Party (LP) has refuted claims that it has zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to any particular region, contradicting earlier remarks by its National Chairman, Julius Abure, which suggested the South-East might retain the party’s backing.

Abure, while addressing party members at a South-East LP rally in Abuja, had reiterated the party’s previous commitment to supporting the region’s political aspirations. Reflecting on the 2023 election, he stated:

“I have no regrets that, in spite of all odds, we zoned the presidential ticket of our party to the South-East. We decided that we were going to clean the tears of the Igbo, and we powerfully and courageously did that in the 2023 general election.”

He also urged the Igbo to strengthen political alliances with other regions, pointing to the Yoruba bloc’s strategic realignments as an example of how to enhance electoral success in 2027.

However, in a subsequent statement, the party sought to clarify its position, insisting that no zoning arrangement had been made for the upcoming election.

The National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, emphasized that LP’s presidential candidate would emerge through a democratic and transparent process.

“The Labour Party has not and will not zone any of its positions to any geographical zone or individual,” the statement read.

It also acknowledged the significant role played by the South-East in the 2023 election but stressed that this did not automatically translate into a repeat endorsement in 2027.

This clarification has fueled speculation that the LP is adjusting its political strategy to maintain a broader national appeal, particularly in the North and South-West, where it seeks to expand its influence.

Analysts interpret the move as a tactical decision aimed at strengthening the party’s chances in the next general election.

Former LP National Treasurer Oluchi Oparah weighed in on the matter, critiquing Abure’s initial remarks for promoting an ethnic-based approach to the presidency.

Oparah argued that leadership should be determined by merit and competence rather than ethnic considerations.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT), Adolphus Wabara, has found himself at the center of controversy within his party following his public commendation of Abia State Governor Alex Otti of the Labour Party (LP).

Wabara, a former Senate President, has been accused of anti-party activities by the PDP’s Abia State Working Committee (SWC), which recently suspended him, citing his alleged endorsement of a second term for Governor Otti.

However, the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) swiftly overruled the suspension, triggering a standoff between the state and national leadership.

Speaking at an 80th birthday celebration in Umuahia for PDP elder Dr. Emelike Okoro, Wabara reiterated his support for Otti, saying:

“Politics ends after campaigns and elections; governance should take centre stage. Even a blind man can see what is happening in Abia! I will continue to appreciate Governor Otti for the good works he is doing. Let them suspend me, expel me—I am first a citizen of Abia before being a PDP member.”

He also criticized the party leadership for targeting him, suggesting that their actions could extend to others.

“I have not mentioned the Labour Party; I have always mentioned Governor Alex Otti. We are all with you,” he declared.

Wabara further acknowledged that despite initial resistance from some within the PDP, Otti has been steering Abia State in a positive direction.

The celebrant, Okoro, also praised Otti’s leadership, describing it as a “breath of fresh air” for the state.

The Lagos State House of Assembly has reiterated its decision to remove Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker, clarifying that the Department of State Services (DSS) was invited to provide security, contrary to reports that its operatives forcefully took over the Assembly complex.

Fresh details emerged on Monday indicating that the Acting Clerk of the Assembly had formally notified the State Security Service (SSS) about the likelihood of unrest and requested enhanced security measures to maintain order within the legislative premises.

This development was outlined in a letter dated February 14, 2025, which was made available to newsmen.

The letter revealed that the Assembly management had credible intelligence suggesting attempts to forcibly reinstate the impeached Speaker, Hon. Obasa, on February 18, 2025.

According to the letter, such an action posed “a potential security threat” to the Assembly and its members.

Signed by the Acting Clerk, Mr. A. T. B. Ottun, the letter—bearing reference number LSHA/FAD/0/7554/323—was addressed to the DSS Director in Lagos State, alongside the heads of other security agencies.

In the letter, titled “URGENT: ENHANCED SECURITY MEASURES FOR LSHA PREMISES,” Ottun wrote:

“I wish to bring to your attention a pressing matter that requires immediate action.”

He further highlighted that the impeached Speaker, Hon. Obasa, was planning to return to office on February 18, 2025, as Speaker, which could escalate tensions within the Assembly.

“In light of this situation, we kindly request that you take necessary measures to fortify the security of the Assembly premises with effect from Sunday, February 16, 2025, by increasing the presence of your men and also observing strict access control within and outside the Assembly premises until further notice,” the Clerk stated.

He concluded by urging swift action from the security agencies, adding:

“We look forward to your prompt attention, Sir. Thank you.”

The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, has described the wave of defections into the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a strong validation of President Bola Tinubu’s performance in office.

Speaking in Enugu at a gathering where new members from the Labour Party (LP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were welcomed into the APC, Nnaji urged the people of the South East to rally behind the ruling party.

He emphasized that aligning with the APC would position the region for greater political and economic benefits.

According to Nnaji, the APC is laying the groundwork to challenge the PDP-led government in Enugu State in the 2027 elections.

Among the latest defectors are prominent political figures, including Chief Basil Ani, a former PDP stalwart from Ukana, Udi Local Government Area; Chief Emeka Abah, previously with the LP in Udenu LGA; and Tony Chigbo, a former PDP leader in Uzo-Uwani LGA, along with their supporters.

Nnaji took a swipe at the current Enugu State administration, accusing it of burdening residents with excessive taxation.

“We are bringing up an alternative government, a government that is based on the people of Enugu State, a government that will come and listen to the cry of the people. We’re appealing to our people to keep joining the APC, that’s the party at the national level,” he stated.

Highlighting the benefits of APC-led governance, he added:

“You can see the number of jobs we have provided, both employment and appointments. It has never been this good in the South East and Enugu State in particular.”

APC’s Enugu State chairman, Chief Ugochukwu Agballah, echoed Nnaji’s sentiments, asserting that the party was now more formidable than ever.

He argued that Enugu had lagged behind its neighboring states due to prolonged PDP dominance.

“States like Anambra and Ebonyi have overtaken Enugu, why is it so? It’s so because a cabal has held us captive for 26 years of democracy, and we are here to take power from them. Every state in the eastern region has had the benefit of experiencing another party in power. Enugu is the only state where one party has been in power for 26 years, and we say no to that. There must be change in Enugu State,” Agballah declared.

One of the defectors, Chief Ani, emphasized that joining APC was more than just a political move but a commitment to change.

“Joining APC is not just about agreeing with the policies of signing a membership card, it’s about making a personal commitment, about putting our values into action, and about working together not just as party members but as fellow citizens to create the society of our dreams, which we know is possible,” he said.

Ani and other new entrants pledged to mobilize resources to strengthen the APC in their respective local government areas, promising full support for the party’s victory in 2027.

This development follows a recent event where Minister Nnaji, Agballah, and Chief Emma Eneukwu, APC’s Deputy National Chairman (South), presented Labour Party House of Representatives members from Enugu State to the APC leadership in anticipation of their formal defection.

Among those expected to switch allegiance to APC are Sunday Umeha, representing Udi/Ezeagu Federal Constituency; Chima Atu, representing Enugu North/Enugu South Federal Constituency; and Chidi Obetta, representing Nsukka/Igboeze-South Federal Constituency.

Others introduced to the APC’s national leadership include Oguerinwa Amadi, the Labour Party’s Enugu West Senatorial candidate, and Emeka Mamah, a former Commissioner in Enugu State.

As the 2027 elections draw closer, the APC appears determined to expand its influence in Enugu, capitalizing on high-profile defections and growing discontent with the current administration.

Edo State governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has declared that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will prosecute the recently impeached local government chairmen implicated in the alleged misappropriation of over N95 billion in public funds.

He revealed that the officials were named in the findings of an Administrative Panel of Enquiry, which was mandated to investigate financial activities in local government councils between September 4, 2023, and November 2024.

Speaking in Benin after receiving the panel’s report, Governor Okpebholo pledged to formally petition the EFCC to take immediate action.

He stressed that, beyond the indicted local government chairmen, former Governor Godwin Obaseki and leaders of a faction of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) were also implicated.

He added, “Those responsible will be held accountable.”

However, Obaseki dismissed the allegations, describing them as a politically motivated attempt by Okpebholo to justify what he termed an unconstitutional move against duly elected council chairmen.

Speaking through his aide, Crusoe Osagie, Obaseki said, “Okpebholo has no legal authority to supervise local government operations or initiate investigations against elected officials.”

He called on the people of Edo State and Nigerians at large to disregard what he described as falsehoods propagated by Okpebholo’s administration, asserting, “My tenure was the most transparent in the state’s history.”

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has responded to former Sokoto State Governor, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, following his remarks about politicians defecting to the party.

Over the weekend, Tambuwal, who represents Sokoto South in the Senate, claimed that those leaving opposition parties for the APC were doing so purely for “stomach infrastructure” reasons.

His party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has been hit by a wave of defections to the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Reacting to Tambuwal’s comments, APC National Publicity Secretary, Barrister Felix Morka, dismissed him as a “notorious and vainglorious party defector.”

The APC further stated, “Evidently, his comments more aptly characterised his own convoluted record of defections from the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) to the Democratic People’s Party (DPP) in 2007 and back to ANPP and then off to the PDP, and decamping in 2014 to APC and finally crawling back to PDP, ignominiously, in 2018.”

The party accused Tambuwal of being driven by personal gains rather than principles, stating, “By his assertions, Tambuwal’s itinerant defections were in chase of ‘stomach infrastructure,’ purely self-serving and without any conscience. A wandering politician like Tambuwal lacks the moral turpitude to comment on the intentions of politicians who have defected from a crisis-ridden PDP to our great Party.”

Defending the recent wave of defections, the APC argued that many PDP members were joining the ruling party because of President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, saying, “Contrary to Tambuwal’s jibe, members of the PDP are joining APC, ostensibly, to identify with President Bola Tinubu’s bold economic reform agenda in the face of growing and undeniable positive indications of a resurgent Nigeria. Many of the defectors have offered this as the raison d’etre for their defection, quite apart from the fact that the PDP is in a state of bedlam, and is now an unrecognizable shadow of its old self.”