Prince Kennedy Ahanotu, the Labour Party’s 2027 presidential candidate, has urged his supporters and party members to remain calm amid the ongoing leadership crisis rocking the party.
He said the dispute should be resolved through the courts rather than political confrontations.
Ahanotu made the appeal in a statement issued on Thursday while reacting to recent developments within the Labour Party, which he said came to his attention during an international seminar on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Beijing, China.
The Labour Party presidential hopeful said he was attending the event alongside officials from Nigeria’s Office of the Vice President, the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, and experts from 11 countries when he became aware of publications celebrating what some described as a political victory within the party.
According to him, the latest developments neither came as a surprise nor altered his political direction, insisting that they only underscored the need for stronger democratic institutions and strict adherence to the rule of law.
“The reported developments are neither a surprise nor a distraction to me and my team. Rather, they reinforce the urgent need for Nigeria to strengthen democratic institutions, respect the rule of law, and ensure that political parties remain truly democratic platforms for citizens and members,” Ahanotu said.
He noted that the issues surrounding the party’s leadership and internal administration remain before the appropriate legal authorities, expressing confidence that the judiciary would deliver justice.
The presidential candidate maintained that his Future Now Agenda – Youth Leadership and Governance for All Citizens remains unchanged, stressing that his political ambition is driven by a desire to build stronger institutions and promote accountable governance rather than personal interests.
Ahanotu said his movement would remain committed to its objectives regardless of the outcome of the 2027 general election, adding that genuine political movements are measured by their consistency and long-term vision rather than immediate electoral victories.
He lamented what he described as a culture in which consistency and principled leadership are often overlooked, while compromise is sometimes rewarded, expressing optimism that history would ultimately vindicate those who stand for justice and institutional reforms.
The Labour Party chieftain called on his supporters, sponsors and members of the party to remain peaceful while awaiting the final verdict of the Supreme Court on the party’s leadership dispute.
“We await the pronouncement of the highest court of the land on the ongoing issues concerning the leadership of the Labour Party, after which we shall communicate our next steps regarding the 2027 General Election,” he stated.
Ahanotu also appealed to the judiciary, particularly the Justices of the Supreme Court, to uphold the independence and credibility of the nation’s judicial system.
According to him, public confidence in democracy depends largely on the ability of the courts to protect justice, the rule of law and democratic principles.
He urged Nigerians to remain committed to the collective goal of building strong and enduring institutions capable of outliving individuals, political parties and successive generations.
