The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has refuted claims of the congress being involved in merger talks between the Labour Party (LP) and other political parties in the country.
The LP, a socio-democratic political party founded by organised labour, has been subject to speculations regarding a potential merger with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). These speculations arose following a meeting between the 2023 presidential candidate of the LP, Peter Obi, and the PDP’s presidential candidate in the same election, Atiku Abubakar.
Reports indicate that Obi also held discussions with prominent PDP members in Abuja, including former Senate President Bukola Saraki and former Jigawa State governor Sule Lamido.
In the 2019 elections, both Atiku and Obi ran on the PDP ticket but were unsuccessful against former President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Following internal conflicts within the PDP, Obi exited the party in 2022 and contested the 2023 presidential election as the candidate of the Labour Party.
Atiku, speaking after his meeting with Obi on May 13, 2024, stated that the fate of party members in the 2027 general elections would be determined by party decisions. He indicated a willingness to support Obi if the PDP nominated a candidate from the South-East in 2027.
The former vice president hinted at a potential alliance leading up to the 2027 general elections, suggesting that his recent meeting with Obi might signify such a collaboration.
Responding to inquiries regarding the NLC’s stance on potential merger talks involving the LP, Ajaero stated, “We are not aware of such talks.”
