LP and NNPP Deny Merger Plan with PDP and Atiku

• Labour Party (LP) denies plans to merge with PDP, emphasizing post-election analysis is pending and the party’s future undiscussed
• LP responds to Atiku’s proposal, clarifying the need for effective democracy and highlighting the ongoing analysis of the 2023 election

Both the Labour Party (LP) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) have denied any plans to merge with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its flagbearer in the 2023 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar. The denial comes in response to Atiku’s recent proposal for opposition parties to unite against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.

LP’s spokesman, Obiora Ifoh, stated in a Thursday press release that the party had just concluded the 2023 presidential election, and a post-mortem analysis was yet to take place. Ifoh emphasized that the way forward for the party had not been discussed, and when it occurs, the public would be adequately informed.

The LP’s reaction follows Atiku’s call for opposition parties to unite and prevent what he referred to as Nigeria moving towards a “one-party dictatorship” under the APC. In response, the LP clarified that Atiku’s proposal was only a suggestion, highlighting the need for every Nigerian to work towards making democracy effective in the country.

Meanwhile, the APC criticized Atiku, asserting that he and the PDP had consistently failed to offer credible opposition to Nigerians since 2015. The ruling party suggested that the call for a merger was an attempt to mask the failure of the PDP at the polls.

PDP Alleges Cabal Influence on Judicial Decisions, Raises Concerns Over Democracy

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the main opposition party in Nigeria, has raised an alarm, accusing a cabal in the Presidency of attempting to undermine the nation’s democracy by manipulating judicial decisions in favor of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Amb. Umar Damagum, expressed these concerns during a press conference at the party headquarters. Damagum claimed there is an ongoing plot by the APC to “cripple democracy, overthrow the democratic rights of Nigerians, suppress the Rule of Law, and downgrade our nation to a fiefdom run by the whims of a cabal.”

He highlighted the alleged efforts to weaken opposition parties and establish an oppressive one-party system systematically. Damagum cited instances in Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Delta, Ogun, and other states where election petition and appeal panels were allegedly used to overturn PDP victories.