LP not bound by coalition agreement in Ibadan, will contest presidency — Otti

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has said that the Labour Party (LP) was not part of the opposition summit held in Ibadan, Oyo State, and insists the party remains independent ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The summit, which brought together opposition leaders including the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by David Mark, a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), had reportedly agreed to field a joint presidential candidate.

Speaking on Thursday in Abuja after a meeting of the LP National Working Committee (NWC) chaired by Nenadi Usman, Otti said the party is not bound by any decisions taken at the Ibadan meeting.

“Unfortunately, we were not part of the summit. We will hold a convention. So, we are not bound by what happened there in Ibadan. We did not attend,” he said.

Otti added that the Labour Party will conduct its own convention and allow any interested member to contest for its presidential ticket.

He also said the party is open to reconciliation with aggrieved members, including former national chairman Julius Abure, as part of efforts to strengthen internal unity.

According to him, efforts are ongoing to reintegrate members across the country, adding that over 25 state chairmen participated in recent party activities.

Otti further assured that the Labour Party will not merge with or collapse its structure into any other political party, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), ahead of the 2027 elections.