The Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party (LP) has given Peter Obi, its presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, a 48-hour ultimatum to resign from the party. This demand follows Obi’s endorsement and alignment with a new political coalition that has adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its platform for the 2027 general elections.
According to a statement released by the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the Labour Party opposes the coalition, dismissing it as an alliance of “power mongers” lacking genuine interest in Nigerians’ welfare. Ifoh stated that the “new Nigeria is possible” slogan is a deception that cannot be achieved with “old, recycled, desperate, and frustrated politicians.” The faction accuses Obi of holding secret meetings to entice Labour Party members to join the coalition, a move they claim many have resisted. They assert that the Labour Party will not tolerate “dual allegiance.”
Meanwhile, Obi has defended his decision to back the emerging coalition, emphasizing the need for collective action to transform Nigeria. He stated that the decision to join the ADC was not taken lightly and stems from deep reflection on the country’s current state. Obi highlighted that no single group can change Nigeria alone and stressed the importance of building bridges to dismantle the structures that keep people in poverty and insecurity. He confirmed the coalition’s adoption of the ADC for the 2027 elections, with Senator David Mark serving as National Chairman and H.E. Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary.
