Abia State Governor Alex Otti yesterday ruled out any coalition talks between the Labour Party (LP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the purpose of ousting the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from power in next year’s poll.

He said LP is contented with the natural and structural coalition with the workers and the masses, who retain progressive values.

Rather than entering alliance talks with any party, he said LP had notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) about its preparations for congresses and the national convention.

Otti made the clarification during the first stakeholders’/ National Executive Council (NEC) of the party, following the recognition of the Esther Nenadi-Usman-led National Caretaker Committee (NC) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

At the meeting held at the Abia Governor’s Lodge, Abuja were representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NL), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and other members of the Interim National Working Committee.

The clarification came on the heels of the alliance talks between the ADC and Action Democratic Party (APD) mooted by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

The governor insisted that the LP was already a coalition on its own comprising the workers and people with progressive inclinations.

Otti said: “Labour is already a coalition. This is the coalition of Nigerian workers and people who are progressive like-minded. So, I know when people talk about joining another coalition. We have no such plans.”

The governor lamented defection of its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and some federal and state lawmakers from LP to the ADC.

He said: “We regret the exit of the former leader of the party, Peter Obi. While we regret his exit, we wish him well. We have also resolved that the party should come together.

“The NEC acknowledged that the party has lost some members, particularly those elected under its platform into the National Assembly, as well as some caretaker committee officers who have since been replaced. However, it maintained that the party remains strong.”

Otti disclosed that the party would hold congresses from March 2026 and begin a nationwide revalidation of its membership, alongside the registration of new members.

He said: “The National Working Committee (NWC) and other stakeholders are to organise congresses from the ward to zonal level to the national convention. The timetable has been drafted and INEC has been notified. Very soon, the congresses will happen and the national convention will follow.

“The other issue is the revalidation of membership and a committee has been set up for congresses to start in March.”

Otti said the stakeholders agreed to establish a reconciliation committee to engage aggrieved members willing to return to the party.

He urged the former national chairman, Julius Abure, and his team to sheath their swords and return to the party.

Otti added: “We also decided that we need to set up a reconciliation committee; the Interim National Working Committee will advise us on it. The whole idea is to reconcile everyone who is willing and desires to come back.

“I call on Julius Abure and his people to sheath their swords and come back to the party. If they are willing to abide by the rules of the party, we will be happy to take them back.”

Otti thanked INEC for recognising the Interim National Committee and uploading the names of LP leaders on its website in compliance with the Federal High Court of Abuja order.

He lamented that the party also would not participate in the February 21 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections because of circumstances beyond its control.

The governor also thanked supporters of the party and assured them that the platform would emerge stronger and more united.

Atiku holds talks ADP leadership

To expand the scope of opposition coalition ahead of 2027 elections, Atiku has opened talks with the ADP leadership.

ADP National Chairman Yabagi Sani, an engineer, confirmed the consultation in a statement in Abuja.

He said: “Earlier today, the national leadership of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), led by the National Chairman, Engr. Yabagi Yusuf Sani, held a high-level consultative meeting with Atiku Abubakar, Wazirin Adamawa, as part of its ongoing engagements with key democratic stakeholders.

“The consultation focused on protecting democratic pluralism, strengthening opposition stability, and safeguarding credible electoral choices ahead of the 2027 general election.

“Discussions emphasised the importance of preserving democratic competition, ensuring stable and constitutionally compliant political platforms, and promoting responsible preparedness to protect voter choice and institutional integrity.

“ADP reaffirmed its commitment to issue-based politics, constitutionalism, and broad national dialogue in the collective effort to deepen Nigeria’s democracy.

“These consultations form part of ADP’s wider engagement strategy with political leaders, institutions, and stakeholders dedicated to a peaceful, credible, and competitive democratic process in 2027. Democracy thrives on dialogue. The future must be prepared for.”

Yabagi, however, clarified that the “engagement was not about a merger with any party, nor was it about recruiting any individual into ADP.

He stressed: “The meeting formed part of ADP’s ongoing consultations with senior democratic stakeholders on protecting democratic pluralism, opposition stability, and responsible preparedness ahead of 2027. We believe such conversations are healthy and necessary in the current political environment.

“There is no hidden agenda or transactional “catch.” ADP remains focused on institutional stability, constitutionalism, and keeping credible options open for Nigerians. Any future decisions, if and when they arise, will be taken transparently and communicated formally.”

‘APC coercing civil servants register as members’

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) yesterday alleged that civil servants were being coerced by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to register as members.

The party said in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, that public servants were being compelled to register under threats linked to job security, career progression and access to livelihoods.

The ADC described the alleged practice as unacceptable, warning that compelling citizens to join a political party amounts to a violation of their constitutional rights.

According to the party, freedom of thought, conscience and association are guaranteed under the Constitution and cannot be abridged by any government or political organisation.

The party complained that the APC’s e-registration is being accomplished through coercion rather than voluntary political participation.

ADC insisted that genuine party support should not require pressure or intimidation.

It also warned that the development could undermine the neutrality and professionalism of the civil service, which is expected to remain non-partisan and loyal to the state rather than to any political party.

The ADC said turning civil servants into partisan hostages could eroding public trust in governance and weaken institutional integrity.

The party questioned the political value of any membership database compiled through coercion, saying that inflated figures do not necessarily translate into electoral support.

It said: “A digital register does not translate to genuine political support. Databases do not vote; citizens do.”

The ADC called on relevant authorities, including the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, labour unions, civil society organisations and the international community, to pay attention to the potential abuse of power and possible violations of data protection and human rights.

It said that public servants should be allowed to exercise their political choices freely without fear or pressure from outside influences. (The Nation)