The party also expressed concerns over what it described as direct threats from the Abia State Governor Alex Otti, warning that its national leaders may be in danger.
The Labour Party has distanced itself from recent statements made by its former vice-presidential candidate, Senator Datti Yusuf Baba-Ahmed, describing them as “undemocratic” and a potential incitement against Nigeria’s constituted authority.
The party also expressed concerns over what it described as direct threats from the Abia State Governor Alex Otti, warning that its national leaders may be in danger.
In a statement issued on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Arabambi Abayomi, the party said it was “astonished” by Senator Baba-Ahmed’s continued reference to the Tinubu administration as “questionably constitutional,” particularly during a meeting allegedly convened by Governor Otti and former presidential candidate Peter Obi at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, on April 9, 2025.
“For us in the Labour Party, this statement is clearly inciting and a call for mass action against a constituted authority,” Dr. Abayomi said.
“We think there should be a limit to whipping up public sentiments against a legitimate government.”
Quoting Baba-Ahmed’s remarks from a recent interview, he said: “The appointments they are making are fake, the appointments they are making are illegal. The paraphernalia of government they are enjoying, destroying our country, spending our money is only for a little time.”
The Labour Party, which contested the 2023 presidential election and lost to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said it accepted the Supreme Court judgment on the matter “not because we were pleased but because of the finality of the court’s judgment.”
“The party has since moved on,” the statement continued. “We expect every well-meaning Nigerian to realise the fragility of the nation and put politics aside to help move the country forward.”
The party cautioned against statements capable of inciting unrest, drawing historical parallels to the Arab Spring.
“The Arab Spring that rattled the entire Middle East started when leaders ignored subtle but persistent mobilisation of the youth. We must avoid a similar path in Nigeria.”
The party alsocriticised Governor Otti’s remarks at the same April 9 meeting, in which he allegedly said a “dooms day” awaited the Julius Abure-led leadership of the Labour Party and threatened to “fumigate” them out of office.
“As if the Labour Party is his personal company, Governor Otti boasted that Abure refused an offer of the Chairmanship of the Board of Trustees and that he was ready to fumigate Abure and his team out of office,” Abayomi said.
“We are warning that no harm should befall any of our leaders as a result of the imminent doom that the governor has threatened.”
The statement further linked recent threats by NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, to similar pressure from Governor Otti.
“This threat is coming a few days after Comrade Joe Ajaero threatened to mobilise armed men to flush our leadership out of office,” said Abayomi. “We believe these threats are not coincidental. The NLC’s rascality is being sponsored by the Abia State Government.”
The Labour Party called on National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to take urgent steps to ensure the safety of its national officers.
“We no longer feel safe. We have committed no offence except insisting on the rule of law and respect for party supremacy as recently affirmed by the Supreme Court,” the party said.
“We call on all security agencies, including the police and state security services, to beef up security around our leaders. The Abia State Governor should be held responsible if anything happens to any of our national officers.”
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