The youth wing of Labour Party (LP) has begun consultations on a proposed political alignment with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and allied pro–President Bola Tinubu groups, a move that could position the faction to support Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
The initiative followed a virtual meeting on Oct. 2 attended by Labour Party National Youth Leader Prince Kennedy Ahanotu, five zonal youth leaders and 32 state youth leaders, according to a statement posted on the party’s X account and signed by Edo State youth leader Ken Omusi.
Participants discussed the party’s direction amid its prolonged internal crisis and the future of youth participation in governance ahead of the next general elections.
A recurring theme in the deliberations was what participants described as inadequate recognition, neglect and a lack of engagement and support for the youth constituency during and after the 2023 elections, when many young members campaigned intensively for a presidential candidate they now say lacked the skills to consolidate gains.
The leaders argued that young members need a political platform offering greater opportunities for leadership development, economic empowerment and inclusion in national decision-making.
The proposed alliance would involve not only the APC but also the Renewed Hope Movement, the City Boy Movement and various Tinubu support groups, the statement added.
During the meeting, participants reviewed policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration across human capital development, youth empowerment, economic reforms, infrastructure, healthcare, education, security, agriculture and workers’ welfare, expressing varying views on their implications for Nigeria’s sustainable development.
At the close of deliberations, the youth leaders mandated Ahanotu to begin immediate consultations with stakeholders within the APC and the allied groups to explore the prospects of a formal political alignment and possible collaboration ahead of 2027.
They expressed confidence in his leadership and tasked him with facilitating the proposed alliance through broad consultations and consensus-building.
The group also proposed a physical gathering of Labour Party youth leaders in Abuja on a mutually agreed date to review the outcome of the consultations and determine next steps.
The overture comes as the Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party has already adopted Ahanotu, its national youth leader, as its consensus presidential candidate for 2027, setting up an internal contest for legitimacy against rival factions aligned with other party figures.
The youth wing’s statement framed the proposed engagement as an ongoing dialogue within the LP youth constituency on political participation, strategic partnerships and the role of young Nigerians in shaping the country’s political and developmental future.
The proposed alignment remains at the consultation stage.
The statement did not announce a formal endorsement of President Tinubu by the Labour Party as a whole or confirm any agreement with the APC.
Any final decision is expected to follow the planned consultations and the subsequent physical meeting in Abuja.
