Some key members of the Labour Party, loyal to the party’s National Chairman, Julius Abure, have accused the 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, of being responsible for the ongoing crisis within the party and have called for sanctions against him.
This accusation follows Abure’s optimistic statement after the Court of Appeal recognized him as the legitimate National Chairman. Abure expressed his hope for resolving the internal conflict well ahead of the 2027 general elections, stating he was ready to reconcile with Obi, Abia State Governor Alex Otti, and other dissatisfied party members.
However, several of Abure’s supporters have warned that Obi’s continued actions, which they claim are destabilizing and factionalizing the party, could lead to a devastating loss in the 2027 presidential election if he persists. Blessing Elaigwu, a party chieftain and convener of the Alliance for All Labour Party Professionals and Stakeholders, criticized Obi’s leadership and his role in dragging the party into unnecessary litigation through his caretaker committee. Elaigwu argued that Obi’s actions had stagnated the party and warned that any further attempts to take the party’s case to the Supreme Court would necessitate a complete break from him by the party’s leadership.
Elaigwu recalled that in September of the previous year, Obi and Governor Otti had convened an illegal stakeholders’ meeting in Umuahia to remove the Abure-led executive, replacing them with their own appointees, including Senator Nenadi Usman and Senator Darlington Nwokocha. However, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) denied their recognition, leading to failed court attempts at legitimizing their actions. Elaigwu stressed that if Obi aimed to destroy the party before potentially moving to another political platform, he would only be harming his own future political prospects.
Elaigwu also reflected on the support Abure extended to Obi when he was frustrated out of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), providing him with a platform in the Labour Party. He emphasized that a true leader would have built upon the momentum from the 2023 elections, consolidating the party’s progress for the 2027 race.
Cornel Max-Nduaguibe, a member of the Obidient Movement, also urged Obi to reconsider his stance against the party, emphasizing the importance of unity and collective action to build a stronger Labour Party. Max-Nduaguibe called on party members to put aside their differences and prioritize transparency, inclusivity, and open communication in order to achieve success in the future.
In response, Peter Obi’s media aide, Umar Ibrahim, dismissed the accusations, stating that Obi was uninterested in engaging in any further conflicts with Abure’s camp. Ibrahim emphasized that Obi was not interested in “endless drama or name calling,” and refused to engage with what he termed as “Abure’s shenanigans.”
