The Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party (LP) has given Peter Obi, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, a 48-hour ultimatum to resign from the party. This decision comes after Obi’s involvement in a new opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!According to a statement issued on Thursday by Obiora Ifoh, LP spokesperson, the party has disassociated itself from the coalition, describing it as a gathering of “recycled, desperate and frustrated politicians”.
“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 alleged. “We’re also aware that a number of them have refused to defect with him.”
The Labour Party emphasized that any member involved in the coalition has 48 hours to formally resign their membership. “Labour Party has consistently said it is not part of the coalition, and therefore, any of our members who are part of the coalition are given 48 hours to formally resign their membership of the party,” the statement read.
Ifoh further stated that the Labour Party is not a haven for individuals with dual agendas or deceptive personas. “The party will not avail itself to individuals who have one leg in one party and another leg elsewhere,” he said. “People who, in the morning, claim to be in the Labour Party and in the evening are in the coalition.”
The LP spokesperson criticized the coalition, saying it is comprised of “opportunistic politicians who are only interested in relaunching themselves into the circle of power — people who are desperate to continue holding on to power.”
Ifoh emphasized that the Labour Party remains committed to Nigeria’s renewal, urging members to stay loyal and maintain the party’s structure. “Nearly 70 percent of the Nigerian population are youths who are tired of the old order, tired of gerontocrats deciding their fate,” he said. “The new Nigeria that the youths are dreaming of is not what can be realised from what we are seeing in the coalition.”
In response to the ultimatum, Obi had earlier stated that his decision to join the ADC coalition was not taken lightly. He was present at the unveiling of the coalition in Abuja, signaling his commitment to the new political formation.
The development has sparked a fresh controversy in Nigerian politics, with the Labour Party’s stance likely to have far-reaching implications for Obi’s political future.