The leadership of the Labour Party (LP) has distanced itself from recent remarks by its former vice presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Dr. Datti Baba-Ahmed, who described President Bola Tinubu’s administration as “questionably constitutional.”
Grassroots Parrot reports that the party’s position was contained in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Arabambi Abayomi, and issued to newsmen on Saturday in Kaduna by the National Secretary, Umar Ibrahim.
Abayomi strongly condemned Baba-Ahmed’s comments, labeling them as “undemocratic” and potentially inciting. He stressed that the Labour Party does not support any rhetoric or action capable of destabilizing the country or inciting the public against a democratically elected government.
“The Labour Party approached the 2023 general elections with the determination to make a difference in governance,” Abayomi said. “Although the outcome of the presidential election did not favor us, we pursued our case to the Supreme Court and accepted the judgment — not because we were pleased, but in the interest of national peace and the finality of the Court’s decision.”
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The LP spokesperson expressed dismay over what he termed an “illegal and unconstitutional” meeting convened by Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, and LP presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, on April 9 in Abuja.
According to Abayomi, it was at this meeting that Baba-Ahmed reiterated his controversial claim that the Tinubu administration lacks constitutional legitimacy — despite a Supreme Court ruling affirming the president’s election victory.
Abayomi also cited a recent interview granted by Baba-Ahmed to a national television station, in which he allegedly described government appointments under Tinubu as “fake and illegal,” and accused the administration of destroying the country.
“These comments are clearly inciting,” Abayomi said. “They amount to a call for mass action against a constituted authority. There should be a limit to whipping up public sentiment against a legitimate government.”
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Drawing parallels with the Arab Spring, Abayomi warned against fanning the flames of unrest, noting that “persistent galvanization of the youth against government” had previously triggered revolts in other parts of the world.
He also referenced additional claims by Baba-Ahmed, including allegations that the Tinubu government planned to fragment Nigeria into six autonomous zones and had plunged citizens into economic hardship. Abayomi dismissed these assertions as inflammatory and unhelpful.
He emphasized the need for unity and political maturity during what he described as a “dangerous and precarious” period for the nation, urging political leaders to prioritize national interest over partisan politics.
“It is within the right of every citizen to hold the government accountable,” he said. “But such criticism must not cross the line into incitement.”
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Abayomi reiterated the party’s loyalty to its national chairman, Mr. Julius Abure, and categorically dissociated the Labour Party from what he described as “unfortunate and reprehensible comments” by Baba-Ahmed.
The LP also condemned what it described as a threat to the lives of its executive members, allegedly made by Governor Otti, who reportedly spoke of an impending “doomsday” for the Abure-led leadership.
Abayomi concluded by calling on security agencies to take proactive steps to protect the party’s leadership from potential harm.
(NAN)