The crisis within the Labour Party deepened on Thursday as the Julius Abure-led faction issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to resign from the party following his involvement in a newly formed political coalition.
In a statement signed by the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the group denounced Obi’s participation in the coalition, which it claimed was populated by “power mongers” and “recycled politicians” who do not reflect the values of the Labour Party.
“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. “We’re also aware that a number of them have refused to defect with him.”
The Abure faction emphasized that the Labour Party was not part of the coalition and made it clear that members aligning themselves with Obi’s new movement must choose where they stand.
“Labour Party is not available for people with dual agenda, people with deceptive persona. The party will not avail itself to individuals who have one leg in one party and another leg elsewhere,” Ifoh declared.
He warned that any party member participating in the coalition has 48 hours to resign their membership.
Ifoh strongly criticized the composition of the new coalition, branding it as an alliance of “desperate, frustrated, and opportunistic politicians” who were part of Nigeria’s past failures.
“We are aware that all those who mismanaged Nigeria over the years are the ones gathered in this coalition,” he said. “The often-mouthed ‘New Nigeria is Possible’ is a ruse and cannot be achieved with this assemblage.”
He also dismissed the coalition’s appeal to youth aspirations, stating that the vision young Nigerians seek cannot be achieved with “gerontocrats deciding their fate.”
New Nigeria can only be built through Labour Party
Reaffirming the faction’s stance, Ifoh maintained that only the Labour Party—not the coalition spearheaded by Obi—can deliver the change Nigerians desire.
“The new Nigeria of our dream can only be realized through Labour Party, and the party is willing to lead Nigerians along that trajectory.”
He urged all members to remain loyal and maintain the integrity of the party’s structure as the country approaches future elections.
The development marks a significant escalation in the internal conflict within the Labour Party, which has been plagued by leadership disputes and factionalism since the conclusion of the 2023 general elections. Peter Obi, who emerged as a popular third-force candidate in the presidential race, has been the face of the party’s reformist agenda.
However, his recent political realignments have triggered backlash from elements within the party, especially those loyal to Julius Abure, who has continued to assert control over the party’s leadership.
As the political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections begins to take shape, observers say the fallout could reshape opposition dynamics across Nigeria.
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