The Labour Party has reignited debate over opposition unity ahead of the 2027 general election, with a faction loyal to Peter Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti insisting that only a united front can unseat President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking in an interview with our correspondent, the LP’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, Prince Tony Akeni, urged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to shelve his presidential ambition and throw his weight behind Obi if he genuinely seeks to rescue Nigeria from “the agony of misrule.”

“If Atiku can go deep inside his soul and demonstrate that he truly loves this country by standing up to support Obi for the presidency, he can then choose anybody of his choice—even his last born—as the vice-presidential candidate,” he said.

“Tinubu will be the easiest incumbent in the world to defeat in 2027. The only thing that can prevent that is if Atiku insists that he must be president at all costs.”

Akeni described opposition unity as the only antidote to what he termed “the tragedy of divided ambition” that had repeatedly handed victory to the ruling party.

He also said Tinubu’s administration was “overloaded with greed and defections,” warning that the ruling All Progressives Congress was heading for implosion.

“I have no fear about a one-party state. What should be conveyed to Tinubu and his brinksmen is sympathy. Let him know that we of the Labour Party sympathise with him because he is carrying, with this decamping domino, a nest of soldier ants into his scrotum,” Akeni said.

“When the crash comes, he should remember that we said so and accept our sympathy in advance. What he is doing is overloading his boat, which hunger is already tearing apart in the country.”

Akeni also praised Obi’s leadership qualities, likening him to Singapore’s late Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, who transformed his country through discipline, meritocracy, and national vision.

“If Obi is able to assemble patriotic Nigerians whose spirit embraces the entire country, not ethnic lines, he will make a difference,” he added.

However, Atiku, who contested the 2023 presidential election under the Peoples Democratic Party and finished second behind Tinubu, has in recent interviews ruled out stepping down for Obi or any other opposition candidate.

Instead, the former vice president has proposed a broad coalition among opposition parties ahead of 2027, saying leadership should be determined through consultation rather than personal sacrifice.

Reacting separately, the LP’s Deputy National Chairman, Ayo Olorunfemi, dismissed fears of a looming one-party state or the collapse of democracy before 2027.

“If there is no election, then there is anarchy. What we are seeing is not anarchy; it’s simply politics. People are responsible for their choices. If they decide to give everything to APC, that is their choice—and they will live with the consequences,” Olorunfemi said.

“Nigerians are already suffering from the consequences of their choice in 2015. Are we not?”

The Labour Party, which rose to prominence in 2023 after Obi’s strong performance at the polls, remains divided between the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee and the Obi-Otti faction—a rift that continues to shape its strategy as it eyes the 2027 elections.

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The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party has dismissed allegations of signature forgery raised by its National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and called on the Nigeria Police, the Department of State Services, and other relevant agencies to investigate the matter.

The NWC insisted that Anyanwu personally signed the letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission announcing the party’s forthcoming national convention in November, in the presence of governors, NWC members, and other senior officials.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on behalf of the NWC, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, maintained that Anyanwu signed several official letters, including the one notifying INEC of the convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

“People can have alternative propaganda and twist stories, but there is no alternative to facts,” Ologunagba said. “Interestingly, the alleged forgery has been reported to security agencies, namely the DSS and the police. We expect a proper investigation because forgery is a serious crime, and anyone behind falsehoods should have their day with the law.”

He recalled that during the PDP’s 101st National Executive Committee meeting, Anyanwu was present—listed as number four on the attendance register—while INEC was also fully represented.

The NEC, he said, approved the timetable for the 2025 Elective National Convention, slated for November 15–16, and directed both the acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, and the National Secretary, Anyanwu, to formally notify INEC in line with Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022.

According to Ologunagba, NEC had earlier approved the composition of the National Convention Organising Committee and the Zoning Committee at its July 24 meeting. The letters, he said, were duly signed on August 25, hours before the 102nd NEC meeting.

He added that the signing took place in the presence of key figures, including Governors Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), as well as former Senate President Bukola Saraki and former Minister Tanimu Turaki.

Ologunagba said,“At that meeting, four letters were signed by Senator Anyanwu and the Chairman in the presence of these leaders—one of which was the INEC notification letter for the convention. Others included letters on the composition of the Convention Committee and notices of repeat congresses in Anambra, Ebonyi, and the South-East.”

He described Anyanwu’s forgery claim as a deliberate attempt to derail the convention, insisting that the Secretary later acted on those same letters in his capacity as Subcommittee Secretary for Contact and Mobilization of the Convention Committee.

“He even issued letters to members of his subcommittee—one to his personal aide, Hon. Arthur—which were duly acknowledged. So, at what point, 50 days later, did these letters become forged documents?” he queried.

“There are legal consequences for deliberately misleading security agencies into a wild goose chase. But we welcome the investigation and are confident the truth will prevail.”

The controversy adds to mounting tension within the PDP as it prepares for its November convention.

Despite the party’s resolution to host the event in Ibadan, discontent persists among loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who are dissatisfied with the leadership of acting National Chairman, Damagum.

Their grievances revolve around unresolved leadership tussles in the South-South, disputes over control of party structures in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Plateau States, and disagreements on micro-zoning arrangements for elective positions ahead of the convention.

These divisions have now spilled into the courts. In suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/25, PDP chairmen from Imo and Abia States, Austin Nwachukwu and Amah Abraham Nnanna, alongside South-South Zonal Secretary, Turnah Alabah George, accused the Damagum-led NWC of violating the party’s constitution and internal election rules.

The case, before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, was adjourned to October 16 following a dispute over who had the legal mandate to represent the PDP.

The party’s Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), and Chief Chris Uche (SAN) both claimed to be the legitimate counsel, prompting the judge to order proof of authorisation before the next hearing on October 20.

Meanwhile, in a letter dated October 16, 14 NWC members reaffirmed the decision to remove Ajibade and appoint Uche as acting Legal Adviser. Ajibade, however, insisted he remains the legitimate officer, arguing that only a national convention has the authority to remove him.

In a related twist, Senator Anyanwu petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, INEC, and the DSS, denying that he signed the August 29 letter and calling for a probe into party leaders.

However, with the NWC refuting his claims and calling for an investigation, the controversy has deepened uncertainty around the PDP’s convention, amid fears that internal rifts, forgery allegations, and legal battles could derail preparations for the party’s leadership transition.

The African Democratic Congress has cautioned the Federal Government against using the recent reports of an alleged coup plot as a pretext to clamp down on opposition leaders or stifle dissenting voices.

In a statement issued on Monday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, warned that any attempt to exploit the rumoured coup for political gain would endanger Nigeria’s democracy and fundamental freedoms.

The warning followed reports that the Defence Intelligence Agency had arrested several military officers — from the ranks of Captain to Brigadier General — over alleged secret meetings to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The Defence Headquarters has since dismissed the reports as “false and malicious.”

Reacting, the ADC criticised the Federal Government’s silence on the matter, saying its failure to issue a clear position despite the military’s denial had allowed the rumour to fester and fuel unnecessary anxiety.

The statement read in part, “The ADC has been closely monitoring reports of an alleged coup plot involving arrested military officers and subsequent media claims that a former southern governor is under investigation for allegedly funding the suspects.

“While we vehemently oppose any effort to undermine Nigeria’s constitutional order, we are equally concerned about the potential misuse of such allegations to justify political witch-hunts, suppress dissent, or manipulate public sentiment.

“We are particularly alarmed by conflicting signals from government sources, especially as the Defence Headquarters has publicly denied ever mentioning a coup plot, despite widespread media reports to the contrary. Such inconsistency raises fears that the coup narrative may have been politically engineered.”

The ADC said it was disturbing that the Federal Government had not made a categorical statement on the alleged plot, even after the military’s repeated denials.

“By keeping quiet, the government has deliberately allowed the coup story to fester for whatever reason,” it said. “It is becoming clear that the government is exploiting the coup narrative to divert attention from the real issues of misgovernance and to curry public sympathy. Even more worrisome are subsequent media reports linking unnamed politicians to the so-called plot — a development that could be used as a pretext to clamp down on opposition figures or mount undue surveillance on them.”

The party accused the All Progressives Congress-led administration of acting out of desperation and warned that such conduct could undermine democratic stability.

“The ADC calls on the Federal Government to immediately clarify the true nature of the alleged coup. If there is indeed a threat to national security, government must be transparent about it and brief the nation accordingly,” the statement continued.

“Conversely, if the reports are false, government has a duty to decisively quash the rumour rather than weaponise national security as a pretext to silence opposition and political dissent.”

Reaffirming its commitment to democratic values, the ADC declared, “We are resolute in our opposition to dictatorship of any form — whether military or civilian. While we support legitimate actions to defend our constitution and democracy, we strongly oppose any ploy by the government to intimidate lawful voices under the guise of national security.”

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