Labour Party Distances Self from Baba-Ahmed’s Remarks, Raises Alarm Over Threats from Gov. Otti
By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna
The Labour Party has officially disowned recent statements made by its former Vice Presidential candidate, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, in which he questioned the constitutional legitimacy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
In a strongly worded statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Arabambi Abayomi, and made available to journalists in Kaduna by the National Secretary, Umar Farouk Ibrahim, the party condemned Baba-Ahmed’s comments as “undemocratic and inciting.”
“The Labour Party views the comment as undemocratic and hereby dissociates itself from any surreptitious action capable of inciting Nigerians against the present government,” the statement read.
The party clarified that although it challenged the 2023 presidential election results up to the Supreme Court, it has since accepted the court’s verdict in the interest of national peace and unity.
“For the interest and peace of the nation, the Labour Party accepted the judgement of the Supreme Court, not because we were pleased but because of its finality. The party has since moved on,” the statement said.
The leadership expressed shock that Senator Baba-Ahmed, speaking at what it termed an “illegal and unconstitutional meeting” convened by Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti and former presidential candidate Peter Obi on April 9 at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, continued to label the Tinubu presidency as “questionably constitutional.”
The party also expressed concern over Baba-Ahmed’s recent televised interview where he described government appointments as “fake” and “illegal,” warning that such comments were dangerous and capable of inciting unrest.
Drawing parallels with the Arab Spring, the LP noted that such rhetoric could push the country into chaos if left unchecked.
In a further twist, the party alleged that Governor Otti issued direct threats against the current party leadership during the same meeting, claiming the governor vowed to “fumigate” the national leadership out of office and described an imminent “doomsday” for the party executives.
“This threat is coming a few days after a similar threat by the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, to mobilize armed men to flush the leadership out of our offices,” the party said, alleging that both threats are linked and possibly backed by the Abia State government.
The Labour Party called on the National Security Adviser and security agencies to immediately provide protection for its leaders, warning that any harm to them should be blamed on Governor Otti.
“We have committed no offence except insisting on the rule of law and respect for party supremacy as affirmed recently by the Supreme Court,” the statement concluded.
