By Prosper Mene
Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has delivered a brutal assessment of the Labour Party (LP), declaring it too fractured and broken to secure victory in the 2027 general elections. In a candid interview on Channels Television’s Political Paradigm on Tuesday, the senator cited deep internal divisions and ongoing leadership struggles as key reasons for the party’s inability to serve as a viable electoral platform.“There are two factions of the Labour Party right now.
We are trying to put it together, but in its present state, I do not see it as a vehicle that can win any election. It’s been very fractured and broken,” Kingibe stated, revealing the party’s internal crisis.
While reaffirming her membership in the LP, Kingibe revealed her alignment with a newly formed opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the upcoming FCT local government elections. “The Labour Party would have been the platform, but it is broken. The ADC has credible candidates, and that’s the platform we’ll be using to send a strong message,” she said, expressing optimism about the opposition’s prospects in the FCT.
Kingibe’s comment, sums up the growing tensions within the LP, which gained significant traction in the 2023 elections due to the “Obedient” movement led by presidential candidate Peter Obi. However, the party has since struggled to transition from a protest movement to a cohesive political institution, with factionalism undermining its momentum.
The senator also took aim at FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, accusing him of being out of touch with residents’ needs and treating them with “disregard and contempt.” She argued that Wike’s infrastructure projects fail to address critical issues like insecurity and unpaid salaries at the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA). Kingibe contrasted Wike’s tenure with that of former FCT Minister Nasir el-Rufai, whom she praised for being more responsive to residents’ needs.
Dismissing Wike’s claim that she would not return to the Senate in 2027, Kingibe expressed confidence in her political strength, stating, “I know for certain that when I decide to run, it’s a shoo-in.” She emphasized that FCT residents are increasingly frustrated with Wike’s leadership, predicting that the upcoming area council elections will serve as a referendum on his influence.
Kingibe’s public embrace of the ADC-led coalition, which includes opposition figures like Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and others, shows a broader shift in Nigeria’s opposition landscape as disillusioned LP members seek alternative platforms to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
Whether the ADC can capitalize on this shift remains to be seen, but the senator’s bold stance remains a fresh debate about the future of Nigeria’s political opposition.
