Former federal lawmaker and political analyst, Senator Shehu Sani, has urged former presidential candidate Peter Obi to remain in the Labour Party (LP), cautioning him against defecting amid internal party disputes and shifting political alliances.
Sani’s comments come amid speculation over Obi’s next political move, especially as he is increasingly linked to an emerging coalition of opposition leaders—including Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi, and Nasir El-Rufai—rallying under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 elections.
The senator gave the advice in a birthday message to Obi, who turned 63 on Friday. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Sani wrote:
“Happy Birthday to Mr Peter Obi. My advice, hold thy Labour, it’s the Devil you know. Don’t chase two rabbits at the same time.”Obi, who became the Labour Party’s presidential flagbearer in the 2023 general election and finished third, has remained a major influence within the party.
His candidacy galvanized massive youth support and significantly raised LP’s national profile.However, the Labour Party has since been entangled in a protracted leadership crisis, with rival factions battling for control—raising uncertainty about Obi’s political future within the party.
Despite the rumours of his involvement in the ADC-led coalition, Obi has consistently stated that he remains committed to the Labour Party.
