Labor Party youth leaders seek possible alliance with Tinubu, APC for 2027

Youth leaders in the Labor Party have proposed opening discussions with the All Progressives Congress and groups allied to President Bola Tinubu on possible political collaboration ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The proposal follows a virtual meeting involving the party’s National Youth Leader, Prince Kennedy Ahanotu, five national zonal youth leaders and 32 state youth leaders.

A statement signed by Edo State Labor Party Youth Leader, Ken Omusi, and published on the party’s official X account on Saturday said the meeting was held on Friday to discuss the political direction of the party amidst a prolonged internal crisis.

Participants also considered the future of youth involvement in parties and the wider political process ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to the statement, the youth leaders mandated Ahanotu to begin consultations with the APC, New Hope Movement, Urban Children Movement and Tinubu Supporters Group on possible alliances or other forms of political cooperation.

The statement said the decision followed concerns raised by participants regarding the treatment of young members during and after the 2023 elections.

It read, “During the meeting, several youth leaders expressed concerns about what they described as inadequate recognition, total negligence, lack of engagement and absence of support to youth constituencies during and after the 2023 general elections where they worked in vain for a presidential candidate who did not have the skills to consolidate.

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“They emphasized the need for political platforms and leaders that would provide greater opportunities for youth participation, leadership development, economic empowerment, and inclusion in national decision-making.

“After extensive deliberations, the youth leaders requested the National Youth Leader, Prince Kennedy Ahanotu, to immediately commence consultations with relevant stakeholders in the APC, New Hope Movement, City Children Movement and Tinubu Supporters Group to explore the prospects of political alignment and possible collaboration ahead of the 2027 elections.”

Youth leaders said no final decision had been reached on the proposed alignment, adding that the results of consultations with various stakeholders would inform their next steps.

They also proposed holding a physical meeting in Abuja to consider the results of the consultations and determine the group’s next political direction.

During the virtual meeting, participants reportedly discussed several policy areas of the Tinubu administration, including human resource development, youth empowerment, economic reforms, infrastructure, health services, education, security, agriculture and workers’ welfare.

The statement said participants expressed different views on the policy and its implications for the country’s development.

This consultation proposal is motivated by continued political maneuvering ahead of the 2027 elections, where politicians and political groups are exploring the possibility of cross-party alliances.

The young Labor leaders stressed that their proposals were still at the consultation stage and further action would depend on wider discussions and consensus among relevant stakeholders.

These developments also come amid ongoing divisions within the Labor Party.

In May 2026, Ahanotu emerged as the presidential candidate of the faction led by Julius Abure during the presidential, gubernatorial and House of Representatives primaries. Another faction then put forward Chibuzo Okereke as its presidential candidate, underscoring the extent of the party’s internal strife.

The Labor Party emerged as the major opposition party in the 2023 presidential election, with its candidate, Peter Obi, securing 6,101,533 votes and finishing third behind candidates from the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party, according to results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The party also won seats in the National Assembly and won the Abia State governorship election in 2023.

Against this backdrop, the decision by a group of Labor Party youth leaders to explore consultations with the APC and organizations supporting Tinubu could be a significant development in the political realignment that is starting to take shape ahead of the 2027 elections.