A deepening rift within the Labour Party took a dramatic turn on Thursday as the faction led by Julius Abure handed a 48-hour ultimatum to the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, demanding his exit over his involvement in a new opposition coalition.
The ultimatum was contained in a strongly worded statement signed by the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, who accused Obi of working behind the scenes to dismantle the Labour Party’s structure by aligning with “recycled and desperate politicians” under the guise of forming a united front against the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Abure-led faction distanced itself from the coalition, which it described as a convergence of “power mongers” with questionable political histories and selfish ambitions. Ifoh warned that the group cannot deliver the promise of a “New Nigeria,” dismissing the slogan as a smokescreen.
“We are aware of several nocturnal meetings between Peter Obi and some of our members, lobbying them to join him in his new party,” Ifoh said.
“Labour Party has consistently stated that it is not part of the so-called coalition. Therefore, any of our members who aligns with the group has 48 hours to resign from the party.”
The statement further accused Obi of pursuing a dual political agenda, saying: “The Labour Party is not available for individuals who put one leg in the party and another elsewhere. We will not tolerate political deceit.”
Ifoh also claimed that nearly 70 percent of Nigeria’s population consists of youths eager to break free from the “old political order,” adding that such aspirations cannot be achieved through alliances with “failed politicians.”
“The new Nigeria of our dream can only be realized through the Labour Party. The party is willing and prepared to lead Nigerians on that journey,” he declared, urging members to remain loyal and focused ahead of future elections.
However, Peter Obi has stood by his decision to support the emerging coalition, arguing that Nigeria’s political rescue cannot be championed by a single party or individual.
According to him, the move is driven by the necessity for collective effort to wrest power from President Bola Tinubu’s APC-led administration.
Obi said, “No single person or group can change Nigeria alone. That is why we are coming together to work towards a better future.”
The development is the latest in the ongoing internal crisis rocking the Labour Party, raising questions about its stability and unity as opposition forces prepare for the 2027 elections.
Peter Obi, who emerged as a major political force during the 2023 general elections under the Labour Party, has been central to conversations about opposition unity in the lead-up to 2027.
However, the relationship between Obi and the Abure-led national leadership has been fraught with tension since 2023, with disagreements over control of party structures and political direction.
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