Former Labour Party (LP) presidential aspirant, Peter Agada, has left the party for the Young Progressives Party (YPP) following his disqualification from the LP presidential primary.
Agada announced his switch on Monday in Abuja, where he met with representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), members of his campaign team, and a support group known as The Movement Nigeria.
He accused the Labour Party leadership of bad faith, alleging that he was initially encouraged to pursue the party’s presidential ticket, participate in its processes, and invest financially in its activities, only to be later excluded from the race.
According to him, he was assured by party officials that there were no restrictions on aspirants before he obtained nomination forms and underwent screening. He added that he was cleared during screening held on May 6, 2026, after the party’s national convention in Umuahia, Abia State.
Agada further claimed he had already begun funding his nationwide campaign structure based on those assurances, only to later receive notice—less than 24 hours before the primary—that he had been disqualified on the grounds of zoning, with the ticket reportedly reserved for the South.
He argued that the zoning decision was not contained in the party’s constitution and insisted it was unfairly applied.
Explaining his move to the Young Progressives Party, Agada said he chose a platform that aligns with his values of fairness, transparency, and justice.
He also defended his actions regarding funds raised for his presidential bid, insisting that everything was done openly. He disclosed that he had begun legal steps against the Labour Party over disputed campaign funds linked to his aborted ambition.
His campaign team had earlier alleged that the party collected about ₦150 million from him despite knowing he might be barred from contesting due to zoning arrangements.
The Labour Party, however, has denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that it followed its constitutional guidelines and proper procedures in handling its nomination process.