In Nigerian politics, many politicians cloak themselves in party ideologies that they barely practice. This troubling trend, especially evident in the Labour Party, recalls a powerful biblical analogy enshrined in Galatians 2:14, where the Apostle Paul confronts Peter by saying, “If you, being a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel Gentiles to live like Jews?” This analogy perfectly illustrates the current situation within the Labour Party. This question, when applied to our political reality, becomes: “If you claim to be a member of the Labour Party, a political platform with the promise of fairness, equity, and accountability, why then are you behaving like a member of the PDP or APC?”

The reason for the foregoing question cannot be farfetched as it will be recalled in this context that when the Labour Party emerged as a formidable force in Nigeria’s last general election that not a few Nigerians say the party as the beginning of a new era, a breakaway from the dominance of the PDP and APC, both of which had become symbols of corruption, elitism, and misgovernance.  In fact, Labour Party represented hope, particularly to the youth and marginalized communities. However, disturbing developments within the party show that some of its members have begun to mimic the very practices the Labour Party was supposed to oppose.

It is not a misrepresentation of fact to recall in this context that the Labour Party’s rise to prominence was built on the frustration and anger of Nigerians who felt abandoned by the two main parties, the PDP and APC. Candidates like Peter Obi presented a message of change that resonated deeply with voters, especially the youth and the working class. Obi’s clean image, coupled with his economic track record, positioned him as a credible alternative to the established political class.

This energy led to a wave of support that shook the political landscape. Labour Party quickly became the go-to platform for those disillusioned by the empty promises and corruption of the PDP and APC. The party’s core ideology of equity, justice, and inclusiveness promised a shift from the self-serving politics that had stagnated the country’s development for years. However, the party’s journey since then has revealed some unsettling truths.

While the Labour Party continues to enjoy grassroots support, several inanities have begun to manifest within its ranks. Some members seem more interested in personal political survival than upholding the party’s principles. A deeper look reveals several instances where Labour Party politicians have exhibited behaviors strikingly similar to the PDP and APC elites they once criticized.

One of the most glaring issues in the Labour Party today is the rampant political opportunism displayed by some members. A worrying trend of cross-carpeting has emerged, where individuals join the Labour Party solely as a vehicle to power, with no real commitment to its principles. Once elected, these politicians revert to the behaviors of the PDP and APC by forming alliances that undermine the party’s stance on transparency and accountability.

Some have even gone so far as to cozy up to godfathers within the PDP and APC in exchange for political favors. This form of political opportunism raises serious questions about the true commitment of Labour Party members to the transformative values the party was built on.

Another issue plaguing the Labour Party is the internal power struggles that mirror the dysfunctional infighting typical of the PDP and APC. Rather than working together to strengthen the party’s position and deliver on the promises made to the electorate, Labour Party members have been consumed by factionalism and leadership tussles. In many states, Labour Party members have been embroiled in disputes over control of party structures, just as we have seen repeatedly in the older political parties.

In Lagos, for example, there have been accusations and counter-accusations of imposition of candidates, while in Imo State, the Labour Party struggled to present a united front as multiple factions fought for supremacy. This internal chaos threatens the party’s credibility and further alienates the voters who had placed their hopes in Labour’s promise of a new kind of politics.

Some Labour Party politicians have displayed behavior that calls their loyalty into question. It is not uncommon to hear reports of Labour Party members secretly aligning with candidates from the APC or PDP during elections. These backdoor negotiations and alliances erode the public’s trust and paint the Labour Party as just another vehicle for personal ambition rather than an engine for genuine change.

This duplicity reveals the same transactional politics that have defined Nigerian politics for decades. Instead of standing firm on Labour’s principles, some members are quick to compromise their integrity for short-term gains.

Perhaps most damning of all, some Labour Party officials have found themselves embroiled in scandals and corruption allegations, the very issues the party was meant to oppose. Reports have surfaced of Labour Party members engaging in the same unethical behaviors that are endemic to the APC and PDP, misuse of public funds, bribery, and neglect of their constituencies.

These scandals have not only damaged the party’s image but have also disappointed the millions of Nigerians who expected the Labour Party to embody a higher moral standard. The very fact that Labour Party politicians could be accused of similar acts of impunity shows just how deeply entrenched the culture of corruption is in Nigerian politics.

For the Labour Party to survive and maintain its relevance, it must address these issues head-on. Party leaders must hold their members to the highest standards and weed out those whose actions undermine the party’s credibility. Unlike the PDP and APC, where scandals are often swept under the rug, the Labour Party must ensure that erring members are held accountable, both in terms of public trust and party discipline.

Moreover, the party must be vigilant in ensuring that its candidates are ideologically aligned with its principles. Opportunists who join the party simply to ride its wave of popularity should be rejected outright. The Labour Party must also work harder to resolve internal conflicts and present a united front, avoiding the toxic infighting that has crippled many political parties in Nigeria.

As the Labour Party continues to grow in prominence, it stands at a crossroads. Will it become the true voice of change that Nigerians so desperately need, or will it follow the same destructive path of the PDP and APC, prioritizing personal gain over the common good?

The Labour Party must remember the weight of the expectations placed on it. Millions of Nigerians rallied behind the party because they believed it represented something different, a departure from the political cronyism, corruption, and dysfunction that have plagued the country. If Labour Party members continue to behave like their PDP and APC counterparts, they risk squandering that goodwill and condemning the party to irrelevance.

In the end, the question remains: If you say you are a member of the Labour Party, why are you behaving like a member of PDP or APC? It is not just a rhetorical question but a moral challenge. The Labour Party must choose whether it will be part of the problem or the solution in Nigerian politics. Anything less than a commitment to genuine change is a betrayal of the people’s trust.