We have no alliance with any party, says LP ahead of guber polls

The Labour Party (LP) says it does not intend to align with any political party ahead of the governorship and state assembly elections.

Julius Abure, national chairman of LP, in a statement on Tuesday, said the party did not instruct any state chapter to liase with or support the candidate of another party.

He called on supporters to vote for candidates of the LP in the forthcoming polls.

“As preparation for this Saturday’s Governorship/State House of Assembly elections enter final preparations, the Labour Party is leaving nothing to chance in ensuring that our candidates not only participate, but win at the ballot,” the statement reads.

“This call becomes necessary given reports from some political opportunists from other political platforms, claiming that they have reached an agreement with Obidients and LP supporters to cast their ballots for them in this Saturday’s polls.

“We want to state categorically and unequivocally that the national secretariat of LP has not given any instructions for any chapter of the party to liaise or support any candidate except LP candidates in this Saturday’s polls.

“Our members should not only go out and vote, but follow the process to a conclusive end as provided by the Law.

“We encourage millions of the electorate who believe in LP presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi and the philosophy of the party not to be deterred, but troop out en masse and vote for all LP candidates anywhere in the country. The LP is not in any alliance with any political party in the run-up to this Saturday’s polls.”

Abure’s statement comes hours after the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Cross River endorsed Brian Odey, candidate of the Labour Party (LP), for the Yala 1 state assembly polls.

Alphonsus Eba, the APC chairman in Cross River, had said the endorsement of the LP candidate followed the supreme court’s judgment nullifying the candidacy of Regina Anyogo, who was the APC candidate.

He said the endorsement of Odey is in line with “the political calculation and sportsmanship” to support the LP in the state.