The Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take decisive action to protect Nigeria’s democracy, warning that escalating political tensions in Rivers, Osun, and Lagos states could have severe consequences.
In a statement issued in Jalingo, Taraba State on Sunday, ZLP National Chairman Chief Dan Nwanyanwu revealed that the party had convened an emergency meeting to address what he described as “anti-democratic developments” in the affected states.
“We at ZLP strongly condemn the troubling political atmosphere in Rivers, Osun, and Lagos states. We urge President Tinubu to intervene and halt this disturbing trend, especially since some of the alleged instigators are linked to his political circle,” Nwanyanwu stated.
The party warned against the recurrence of past political crises, drawing parallels to the violent unrest in the Southwest during the ‘Wild Wild West’ era and the militant insurgency in the Niger Delta.
Nwanyanwu specifically highlighted the Rivers State crisis, questioning the legitimacy of 27 state lawmakers who defected despite no division at the national level.
He criticized their attempt to withdraw affidavits confirming their defection, calling it a political maneuver that undermines democratic principles.
He further decried the withholding of funds and other tactics fueling the crisis, warning that unchecked political manipulation threatens Nigeria’s democratic stability.
Recalling Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggles in the 1990s, Nwanyanwu reminded Tinubu of their shared activism, stressing that many current political actors were absent from that fight.
He urged the President to act swiftly, cautioning that any attempt to impeach Governor Sim Fubara through undemocratic means could trigger widespread unrest and potential economic sabotage by militant groups.
In a separate development, the Labour Party (LP) has lashed out at Val Ozigbo, accusing the former Anambra governorship candidate of political opportunism and betrayal following his departure from the party.
In a statement signed by LP National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the party dismissed Ozigbo’s recent criticisms, branding him as a serial defector who only joins political platforms to serve personal ambitions.
“Ozigbo contested the 2021 Anambra governorship election under the PDP and lost. He later joined Labour Party—not out of loyalty, but to exploit the popularity of our presidential candidate. Now, he is turning against the very party that gave him relevance,” the statement read.
The LP maintained that Ozigbo’s exit reflects a pattern of political inconsistency, asserting that true party loyalty is built on principles, not personal gain.
