The 2023 vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Datti Baba-Ahmed, was in attendance at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Julius Abure-led faction of the party on Monday.
The Labour Party has been deeply divided by internal crises, resulting in two rival factions—one led by Abure and the other by Acting National Chairman, Nenadi Usman.
Prominent figures within the party, including its 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, Abia State Governor Alex Otti, most elected lawmakers, and Baba-Ahmed himself, have consistently aligned with the Usman-led group.
However, at the NEC meeting held in Abuja, Baba-Ahmed said his presence was not a shift in allegiance but a gesture aimed at peace and reconciliation.
“I am here as a peacemaker. I am here to reconcile divergent opinions,” he told attendees.
Addressing recent speculation about his political alignment, Baba-Ahmed confirmed his participation in opposition coalition talks but reaffirmed his loyalty to the Labour Party.
“I am very proud to say that I did attend meetings exploring a coalition in Nigeria. Morally speaking, if your neighbourhood invites you to discuss security, you must attend.
“However, if discussions shift beyond the agreed topic, you reserve the right to return to your original stance. I listened, I participated—but I remain in the Labour Party,” he stated.
In response, the NEC commended Baba-Ahmed for what it described as a courageous step to identify with the Abure-led leadership, despite ongoing tensions within the party.
