Ex-Presidential media aide, Akande criticises LP’s leadership, urges party’s alignment with national interest

Mr. Laolu Akande, a former presidential assistant, has expressed dissatisfaction with the Labour Party (LP) leadership’s current course and emphasised their inability to recognise the party’s crucial role in Nigeria’s political landscape.

Veteran journalist and Channels TV in-house analyst Akande shared his forthright opinions on Wednesday afternoon during his appearance on the TV’s “Lunchtime Politics” programme.

He called on the leaders of the Labour Party to put the interests of the country first and to gather support from powerful figures in the party and across the political spectrum.

“I believe the leadership of the Labour Party as it is currently constituted doesn’t seem to understand the role that LP has come to play in the development of the democratic space in Nigeria,” said the seasoned political analyst.

Akande cited the LP’s recent electoral results as proof of its ability to galvanise disgruntled voters and provide a competitive alternative to the mainstream parties.

But he bemoaned the LP’s seeming disarray and lack of direction, expressing worries about the group’s similarity to established political parties.

Akande blamed Mr. Aburi and friends for failing to put the interests of the Nigerian people ahead of their own goals, highlighting the leadership problem inside the LP.

He said:”It is quite a big disappointment that the LP is showing itself to be as disorganized, as uninspiring as the other major parties that it showed the whole world that they can give them a run for their money. This is just a very heartbreaking thing going on in the Labour Party.

“Mr Aburi has done a very poor job in articulating whatever may be the reasons for his current behaviour. I am not saying whether he has a good reason or not but he has done a poor job. He hasn’t articulated very clearly what he is trying to do.

“And it would seem that he has just managed to get himself enmeshed in the usual politics of personal aggrandizement. And it is such a big disappointment.”

He underscored the necessity for clear and articulate leadership, particularly in navigating challenges and engaging with critical voices within the party, including those of Mr Peter Obi, the LP’s presidential candidate and Governor Alex Otti.

Akande called on the LP leadership to heed the voices of Mr Obi, Governor Otti, and the broader Labour movement, emphasizing the compelling arguments put forth by these figures.

He said: “Many people saw LP as a potential alternative voice, an opposition voice that can put things in proper context within our democratic space. If they are unable to sort out this problem in good time, LP just goes through the trash.

“But I hope the voices of Mr Peter Obi and Governor Otti and NLC and Labour movement, I think their voices should be encouraged to prevail because the argument that they have put forward are quite compelling.”

Akande warned that without decisive action, the LP risked squandering its potential as a formidable opposition voice, relegating it to irrelevance in the political landscape.

While acknowledging the leverage held by figures like Mr Obi and Governor Otti, Akande stressed the urgency of resolving internal conflicts to preserve the LP’s relevance and momentum, Akande lamented the inability of Aburi to display formidable leadership for the party.

“Aburi has not managed to give a sufficient response so far to some of the issues that have been raised by the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Labour movement and even by Mr Peter Obi and the tendency of Governor Otti.

“Aburi has not managed to come forward robustly. So what might happen is that if this is not properly managed, then the excitement that we had about LP might just go out the window.”

Akande, however, expressed a glimmer of hope, saying, “I strongly suspect that Mr. Otti and Mr. Obi may hold the upper hand if they stand firm, given their current positions.

“I suspect very clearly that it is possible that Mr Otti and Mr Obi if they put their feet down are the ones that have the stronger leverage because of what they have become.

” I mean Mr Otti is a Governor and Mr Obi has clearly become a significant political figure so he does have a considerable crowd.”