The Deputy Governor of Abia State, Ikechukwu Emetu, has extended an open invitation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to join the Labour Party (LP), declaring the opposition party inclusive and ready to welcome anyone including the sitting President on or before the 2027 general elections.
Emetu, who also serves as chairman of the Labour Party’s National Steering Committee on Membership, Revalidation and e-Registration, made the statement during the presentation of a new membership drive report by the Nenadi Usman-led National Caretaker Committee on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.
Emphasizing the party’s broad appeal, Emetu stressed that Labour Party is not exclusive or restrictive.
“The Labour Party is a party for all, irrespective of who they are,” he said.
“The Labour Party is a national party and is not a cult group, where people will be restricted to coming into the party.”
He went further to directly address the possibility of Tinubu’s defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Even Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, can decide, on or before the 2027 elections, to join the Labour Party, and we will gladly accept him.
“This is a national party; it is not a cult group where people are restricted from joining. It is a party for everybody,” Emetu declared.
The remarks come amid ongoing efforts by the Nenadi Usman-led interim leadership to revitalize the Labour Party through membership expansion, revalidation, and electronic registration drives following internal reforms.
Emetu’s comments highlight the party’s ambition to position itself as a truly national platform capable of attracting high-profile figures across political divides ahead of the next presidential race.
