Datti Backs Abure, Declares 2027 Comeback as LP Rejects Factional Takeover

The Labour Party, under the leadership of Julius Abure, has firmly ruled out any possibility of joining a political coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections. The stance was made public during a press conference in Abuja, following a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Monday, July 21.

According to iReporter Online, Abure, who serves as the party’s factional National Chairman, restated the party’s unwavering ideological stance and emphasized its dedication to restructuring internal operations rather than merging with other political forces. He noted that the 2023 election campaign had laid a strong foundation that the party now seeks to consolidate.

“Labour Party will not be part of any coalition for the 2027 general election,” Abure declared, adding that the party had no intention of aligning with what he referred to as “politically spent forces” responsible for past governance failures. This remark, according to iReporter Online, was perceived as a veiled attack on Nigeria’s dominant political parties.

The NEC meeting, attended by key party figures including Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed—who served as the 2023 vice-presidential candidate—was convened to realign the party’s vision and reject ongoing attempts to undermine its leadership. The party condemned a rival meeting held on July 18, describing it as “unauthorised, unconstitutional, and illegal.”

Abure, while citing Article 14(4)(B) of the Labour Party Constitution, emphasized that only the National Secretary, acting under the Chairman’s directive, can convene such gatherings. He dismissed any claims of a leadership vacuum, asserting that the March 27 National Convention held in Nnewi had already received Supreme Court affirmation on April 4.

According to iReporter Online, the party further called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reject the factional group’s resolutions and urged the Nigerian public to ignore what it described as a series of political distractions. The NEC reaffirmed its loyalty to the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee and resolved to conduct new congresses at the state, local government, and ward levels in alignment with constitutional requirements.

In a significant moment during the briefing, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed declared renewed allegiance to the party leadership and confirmed his intention to contest in the 2027 elections. His declaration was received as a clear endorsement of Abure’s leadership amidst internal tensions.

With the party drawing a decisive line between itself and rival factions, the stage is now set for what could become a defining chapter in Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of 2027.