Amid internal divisions and ongoing legal battles, the Labour Party (LP) in Lagos held a pivotal stakeholders’ meeting on Sunday, October 13, at Alausa, Ikeja, to solidify unity and set the groundwork for the 2027 elections.
The event, organised by Seyi Sowunmi, a member of the Labour Party Caretaker Committee and representative of Ojo Federal Constituency, brought together key figures, including the party’s 2023 Lagos governorship candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, and interim National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Yunusa Tanko among others.
Various support groups and party factions also participated, signalling a new chapter for the party in the state, according to the convener.
Speaking on the significance of the gathering, Sowunmi emphasised the importance of unity among party members.
“We’re here to unite all factions and support groups under one umbrella. This is what we’ve been striving for over the past two years,” he said, noting that the successful meeting marked a breakthrough in the Labour Party’s internal efforts to strengthen its structure in Lagos.
The unity achieved at the meeting, Sowunmi said, heralds a fresh beginning for the party in a state often regarded as a bellwether for political movements.
“Everybody in Nigeria knows that Lagos State is important. Anything good starts from Lagos; anything bad starts from Lagos,” Sowunmi remarked, highlighting the crucial role the state plays in national politics.
The meeting saw the participation of several influential support groups, including the Obedient Movement, SC Fund, Big Tank, CSF, and representatives from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
Their presence, Sowunmi noted, underscores the LP’s growing presence and influence across the country.
“This unity will make us stronger in the competition for victory,” Sowunmi added, expressing confidence in the party’s prospects in upcoming elections.
On the topic of loyalty within the party, the lawmaker addressed concerns about the potential for candidates to defect to other parties.
He firmly reiterated his commitment to the Labour Party, stating, “I don’t have any intention of joining any other party. I am Obedient Labour. I joined politics because of Obi, and his ideology aligns with mine.”
However, Sowunmi left the door open for potential shifts, saying that if Peter Obi, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, made any future moves, he would follow due to their shared values.
Reflecting on the journey to this point, Sowunmi explained that the meeting was the culmination of months of groundwork, including visits to support leaders and key stakeholders across the state.
“Politics is about people, about listening to them, bringing them together,” he said, crediting a hands-on approach to the success of the event.
With a renewed sense of purpose, he declared, “Today is the last day of labour in vain for the members of the Labour Party in Lagos State.”
The event also provided a platform for Rhodes-Vivour to share his optimism about the party’s future.
Despite the internal strife, he remained confident in the party’s ability to come together.
“There is no political party that does not have one issue or the other. What is most important is that we are willing to come together,” he said.
He described the event as a celebration, not of conflict, but of unity and collaboration, to improve the lives of Lagosians through a stronger, more cohesive party.
On his political future, Rhodes-Vivour made it clear that he remains committed to his political journey with the Labour Party, stating, “With every election, you get stronger and stronger. We are not going quiet. We are active, we are encouraging hope in the people,” hinting at a potential run in the 2027 elections, with a renewed focus on building support and staying connected with the public.
Yunusa Tanko, representing the Obidient Movement, echoed the call for unity and preparation.
He explained that the meeting aimed to build a more formal structure for the movement across Nigeria.
“In the 2023 general election, we’ve been accused of not having structures. We intend to build this particular structure in 176,000 polling units across Nigeria,” Tanko stated, highlighting Lagos as the starting point for this nationwide effort.
Tanko also clarified the movement’s broader ambitions, noting that the Obidient Movement transcends the Labour Party.
“It moves around entrepreneurship, intellectuals, persons with disabilities, agents, all across the globe,” he said.
The movement’s focus, he explained, is on good governance for every Nigerian, regardless of political affiliation.
Looking beyond Lagos, Tanko addressed the political crisis in Rivers State between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor Nyesom Wike, seeing it as an opportunity for the Labour Party to gain a foothold.
“We’re not only making inroads in Rivers State, we want to make inroads in all the 36 states of the Federation,” he said, emphasising the party’s commitment to expanding its influence nationwide.
The Lagos stakeholders’ meeting marks a turning point for the Labour Party, as it moves to consolidate its internal factions and prepare for the 2027 elections.
