Ex-LP Presidential Aspirant Dumps Labour Party, Joins YPP

A former Labour Party (LP) presidential aspirant, Peter Agada, has officially defected to the Young Progressives Party (YPP) following his disqualification from the party’s presidential primary, according to Ireporter Online.

Agada made the announcement on Monday in Abuja during a political event attended by representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), members of his Presidential Campaign Council, and a support group known as The Movement Nigeria.

Speaking at the gathering, Agada accused the leadership of the Labour Party of bad faith, alleging that he was encouraged to pursue the party’s presidential ticket, participate in its internal processes, and make financial contributions, only to be later excluded from the race.

He stated that he was assured there were no restrictions preventing aspirants from contesting the presidential ticket before he purchased nomination forms and underwent screening. He further noted that he was successfully screened on May 6, 2026, after the party’s national convention held in Umuahia, Abia State.

Agada also claimed he invested heavily in building his campaign structures nationwide after what he described as a successful screening exercise, which he believed confirmed his eligibility to run under the Labour Party platform.

However, he alleged that he was informed less than 24 hours before the party’s presidential primary that he had been disqualified on the grounds that he hails from the North-Central geopolitical zone, with the party reportedly insisting that its presidential ticket had been zoned to the South. He argued that such zoning arrangements were not contained in the party’s constitution.

Explaining his defection, Agada said he decided to join the YPP after discovering a platform that aligned with his principles of fairness, truth, and justice. He expressed confidence in the new party and its leadership, describing it as a better environment for his political ambition.

He further addressed concerns from his supporters regarding funds raised for his presidential project, insisting that all processes were conducted transparently. Agada also revealed that legal action had been initiated against the Labour Party over disputed financial contributions linked to his aborted presidential bid.

The development comes days after his campaign organization accused the Labour Party of collecting ₦150 million from him despite allegedly knowing he would not be allowed to contest due to zoning decisions. The Labour Party, however, has denied the allegations, maintaining that its processes were transparent and in line with party guidelines.