The Labour Party (LP), led by Barrister Julius Abure, has dismissed allegations of collusion with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, issued this clarification in a statement on Friday.

Ifoh labeled the claims as “misleading and mischievous,” attributing them to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and former party member Kenneth Okonkwo, whom he accuses of attempting to undermine the Labour Party in favor of rival political groups.

He stressed that the party’s recent court victories are independent and not linked to the APC, stating, “The Labour Party has been and continues to be more critical of the APC than the NLC.” The statement elaborated that the Labour Party leadership felt compelled to respond quickly to what they called the “handiwork of adversaries” seeking to destabilize the party’s leadership.

Following a landmark court ruling reaffirming Abure’s position as national chairman, Ifoh noted that individuals, including Okonkwo and Prof. Theophilus Ndubuaku, acting Chairman of the NLC Political Commission, have been spreading the narrative that Abure is working in the interests of the APC, suggesting this is why the Labour Party has recently achieved legal successes.

Ifoh firmly rejected this notion, describing it as a deliberate attempt to distract from and tarnish the party’s image. “The Labour Party is not working for the APC and remains an autonomous entity,” he stated.

He further claimed that the current Labour Party leadership has consistently criticized the APC while asserting that the NLC has failed to meet its responsibilities to Nigerian workers. Ifoh called it “laughable” for the NLC to accuse the Labour Party of collusion with the APC and urged the NLC to refocus on its core duties.

Regarding Kenneth Okonkwo, Ifoh expressed reluctance to engage directly with him, suggesting that Okonkwo is “living in bondage” and should recognize the distinction between politics and entertainment. “He should consider concentrating on skit-making to boost his following,” he advised.