Labour Party (Nigeria)

Last updated

Labour Party
AbbreviationLP
Chairman Julius Abure
General SecretaryUmar Faruk Ibrahim
Founded2002;22 years ago (2002)
HeadquartersNo. 2 IBM Haruna Street, Utako, Abuja FCT. (Near ABC Transport & NUJ Office), Abuja
Ideology Social democracy
Political position Centre-left
ColorsRed and green
Slogan"Forward Ever"
Seats in the House
35 / 360
Seats in the Senate
8 / 109
Governorships
1 / 36
Seats in State Houses of Assembly
0 / 991
Website
labourparty.com.ng

The Labour Party (LP) is a social democratic political party in Nigeria. The party was created in 2002 and was previously known as the Party for Social Democracy (PSD) before changing to its current name the following year. Built on the ideology of social democracy, the party aims to promote and defend social democratic principles and ideals for the purpose of achieving social justice, progress and unity. [1]

Contents

On 27 May 2022, the party's membership and support increased drastically as the former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, joined the party shortly after he left the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in a bid to run for the 2023 Nigerian presidential election. [2]

History

The party was formed in 2002 as the Party for Social Democracy, and was established by the Nigeria Labour Congress. Its name was officially changed to the Labour Party after the 2003 general election. [3] [4]

In 2007, Olusegun Mimiko, ran successfully as governor of Ondo State under the banner of the Labour Party for a period of two terms (2009–2017), only to return to the PDP in 2020. [5]

2021

After the late National Chairman, Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam died in 2020, [6] the party went through a serious leadership crisis. Barrister Julius Abure, who was the National Secretary of the Labour Party, was elected as the new National Chairman by the Labour Party National Executive Council (NEC) in 2021. [7] The former Deputy National Chairman of the party Calistus Okafor, challenged Barrister Julius Abure after he claimed to be the authentic National Chairman of the party by virtue of his position. [8]

2022

Former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, joined the party after leaving the Peoples Democratic Party a proactive decision prompted by his inability to gain the necessary support needed to win in the fast approaching PDP primaries. He emerged as the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour party after Pat Utomi, Faduri Joseph and Olubusola Emmanuel-Tella stepped down from the contest, making him the only aspirant in the presidential primaries. [9] Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour emerged as the governorship candidate of the party in Lagos state. [10]

2023

Just before the 2023 Nigerian general election, the party obtained the support of both the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria. The trade union federations advised their members to vote for Peter Obi. [11] This was the first time the trade union federations expressed explicit support for a political party. [4] Alex Otti, the Labour Party governorship candidate in Abia State became the only elected Governor in the party in 2023. [12]

Party symbols

The logo of the party is a wheel with a man and woman with a child engraved in the centre.

The wheel stands for industry and work as basis for economic empowerment of the populace and the prosperity of the nation, i.e. continuous economic growth and development. The linkage, between the wheel and man, woman and child connotes that governance, economic and social development must lead to the advancement of human beings.

Party flag

The flag of the party is red and green, both equal in size, placed vertically, with Red representing transformation and Green representing agriculture. The logo of the Party is at the centre of the flag. [13]

Election results

Presidential elections

YearParty candidateRunning mateVotes%Result
2019 Alh. Muhammed Usman ZakiChief Ezekiel Akpan5,0740.019%Lost Red x.svg
2023 Peter ObiYusuf Datti6,101,53325.40%Lost Red x.svg

House of Representatives and Senate elections

Election House of Representatives Senate
Seats+/–Seats+/–
2003
0 / 360
New
0 / 109
New
2007
1 / 360
Increase2.svg 1
0 / 109
Steady2.svg 0
2011
8 / 360
Increase2.svg 7
4 / 109
Increase2.svg 4
2015
1 / 360
Decrease2.svg 7
0 / 109
Decrease2.svg 7
2019
1 / 360
Steady2.svg 0
0 / 109
Steady2.svg 0
2023
35 / 360
Increase2.svg 34
8 / 109
Increase2.svg 7

Gubernatorial elections

YearStateParty candidateVotesResult
2007 Ondo State Olusegun Mimiko 226,051Won
2012 Ondo StateOlusegun Mimiko260,199Won
2023 Abia StateAlex Otti175,467Won

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References

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