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Labour Party Youth Leadership Authorizes APC Engagement
The Labour Party’s youth leadership has initiated plans to engage the All Progressives Congress (APC) and organizations aligned with President Bola Tinubu regarding cooperation before the 2027 presidential election. This development follows a virtual meeting held on Friday, which was attended by National Youth Leader Prince Kennedy Ahanotu, five zonal youth leaders, and representatives from the youth leadership of all 32 states.
A statement issued by Edo State Labour Party Youth Leader Ken Omusi confirmed the details of the gathering. The statement was shared on the party’s official X account on Saturday, outlining the outcomes of the discussions focused on the party’s political future and unresolved internal disputes.
Participants at the virtual meeting reportedly authorized Ahanotu to open discussions with the APC, the Renewed Hope Movement, the City Boy Movement, and Tinubu Support Groups. The objective of these engagements is to assess prospects for an alliance or collaboration before the 2027 polls. However, the initiative has not produced any binding agreement. Any partnership would be considered only after consultations are completed.
Internal Disputes and Youth Representation
The push for external engagement comes amid complaints from several youth leaders regarding their treatment during and after the 2023 general elections. Participants reported receiving little recognition, engagement, or support despite campaigning for a candidate they believed lacked the capacity to consolidate the party’s gains.
In response to these grievances, the group is seeking a political arrangement and leadership framework capable of expanding youth participation, leadership opportunities, economic empowerment, and representation in national decision-making. To further assess the discussions and decide on its subsequent political course, the group suggested holding an in-person meeting in Abuja.
The virtual meeting also examined various aspects of the Tinubu administration, including human capital development, youth programs, economic policy, infrastructure, healthcare, education, security, agriculture, and workers’ welfare. Participants reportedly offered varying assessments of the government’s policies and their effects during these reviews.
Political Context and Historical Performance
The City Boy Movement, one of the groups targeted for engagement, is described as a youth-oriented organization backing Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the APC. The group concentrates on grassroots mobilization and youth participation.
Ahanotu has been linked to the Julius Abure-led faction, which announced him as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election in May 2026. This political positioning occurs against the backdrop of the Labour Party’s performance in the previous general election. In the 2023 presidential election, Labour Party candidate Peter Obi placed third with 6,101,533 votes based on results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Despite the presidential outcome, the party achieved significant legislative and gubernatorial victories during that same electoral cycle. The Labour Party captured the Abia governorship and won several National Assembly seats in the 2023 election, marking a notable presence in national politics even as its youth wing now explores new alliances for the upcoming cycle.
