Labour Party Faces Challenges Ahead Of 2027 Elections: Adefolarin Oria Speaks Out

Former Senator Adefolarin Oria Slams Labour Party Leadership

Let me paint you a picture. Adefolarin Oria, who ran as the Labour Party's candidate for the Ondo Central Senatorial seat during the 2023 general election, has some strong words for his own party. He believes the Labour Party is heading in the wrong direction and faces serious challenges moving forward. In his view, the leadership is selfish, overly divided, and lacks the unity needed to secure electoral victories in 2027. This is not just idle chatter; it’s a wake-up call from someone who’s been in the trenches.

According to Naija News, Oria made these comments while speaking with journalists in Akure on Thursday. He didn’t mince words when analyzing the party’s history, its performance in past elections, and what it needs to do to succeed in the future. This isn’t just a critique—it’s a roadmap for reform.

Why Did the Labour Party Miss the 2024 Gubernatorial Election?

Here’s the deal: Oria pointed out that the Labour Party failed to field a candidate for the 2024 gubernatorial election in Ondo State. And why is that? Well, the party was consumed by internal leadership struggles. Instead of focusing on the bigger picture—winning elections—they got bogged down in petty disputes. That’s a recipe for disaster in the political world, folks. If a party can’t even agree on who should represent them, how do they expect to win over voters?

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Oria also took aim at the party’s decision to appoint a state chairman who doesn’t speak the local language. Think about that for a second. How can someone connect with the people if they can’t even communicate in their native tongue? This decision, according to Oria, creates a huge disconnect between the party and the community it’s supposed to serve. It’s like trying to build a bridge with missing planks—it’s just not going to work.

What Needs to Change for the Labour Party?

Oria laid it all out there. If the Labour Party wants to compete in 2027, it needs a major overhaul. He emphasized that the party must restructure itself and adopt a more inclusive approach to politics. The current state of affairs, where the party seems to favor a specific group, alienates people from other regions. That’s not how you build a winning coalition. Politics, at its core, is about bringing people together, not driving them apart.

He put it plainly: “The way the party presents itself, as if it belongs to a specific group, makes it difficult for indigenous people from other regions to accept it.” That’s a powerful statement. He went on to say, “Politics is about inclusiveness. Unfortunately, the leadership of our party is selfish.” Ouch. But he didn’t stop there. He urged the leadership to bridge divides and engage with all ethnic groups. The Labour Party can’t afford to be seen as a party for just one tribe or region. It needs to be a party that welcomes everyone, no matter where they come from.

In conclusion, Oria made it clear that the problem in Ondo State is that the leadership operates in isolation, ignoring the very people who make up the party. As he put it, “There is no leadership without the people.” If the Labour Party wants to succeed, it needs to remember that its strength lies in its members, not in the few at the top. The clock is ticking, and the party has some serious soul-searching to do if it wants to stay relevant in the political landscape.