Two weeks before the presidential election, the Labour Party in the South‑West collapsed its entire regional structure and merged into the All Progressives Congress (APC). The group also announced its support for the APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Speaking to journalists in Akure, the capital of Ondo State, on Monday, South‑West Labour Party Chairman Omotoso Banji explained that the transition to the APC was facilitated by Dr. Dayo Adeyeye, National Coordinator of the South‑West Agenda for Asiwaju Tinubu 2023, and other members of the group.
Omotoso, who led the dissolution of the party’s structure, said the Labour Party’s leaders decided to quit because the party was no longer viable and lacked the clout to win the upcoming general election. “The Labour Party is now a shaky platform for anyone to contest; it is a failure platform,” he said. “I don’t know Peter Obi and I’m less concerned about him, but I am concerned about those who are celebrating the Labour Party’s mediocrity in Nigeria.” He added that many party members were motivated by money rather than a genuine desire to serve the country, and therefore the Labour Party was “not ready to serve Nigeria.” Consequently, the South‑West Labour leaders chose to join the APC.
Omotoso noted that he had already dismantled the party’s structures in Ekiti State and expressed confidence that Obi could not embarrass them in the South‑West. “We are the pillars of that party in the South‑West, and, to the glory of God Almighty, we have pulled down the structures today (Monday).” He also mentioned surprise at hearing from the party’s Director‑General, Akin Osuntokun, stating, “We don’t know him in the Labour Party; Akin Osuntokun is representing his personal interest.”
After receiving the defectors, Dr. Dayo Adeyeye urged them and other APC members across the South‑West to return to their polling units and work for Tinubu’s victory in the forthcoming presidential poll. “Tinubu is a man of passion, action and vision, who is ready to transform this country, and whether they like it or not, Tinubu is going to win,” Adeyeye boasted.
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