The Labour Party (LP) has urged its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to remain in the party, stating that it offers his best chance to win the 2027 election. This comes amid a leadership crisis within the party and calls from some of Obi’s supporters, known as ‘Obidients’, for him to defect to another party.
The Deputy National Chairman of the LP, Ayo Olorunfemi, dismissed the idea of Obi leaving as “delusional”, emphasizing that true ‘Obidients’ would not advise him to do so. Olorunfemi insisted that the party is not in crisis but facing challenges that he expects to be resolved within weeks.
The crisis has escalated due to controversies surrounding the party’s March National Convention in Anambra State, which INEC disowned. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), which formed the party in 2002, has accused National Chairman Julius Abure of running the party like his personal property and urged him to step down.
Despite the turmoil, Olorunfemi stated that the LP remains Obi’s best chance to win in 2027, citing the support of student unions, Nigerian youths, hard working people, and those tired of the current state of the country. He questioned where else Obi could go, emphasizing the party’s social democratic ideology.
Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, joined the LP before the 2023 elections after previously being a member of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He came third in the presidential race, winning in Abuja and 11 states with 6,101,533 votes.
In a recent meeting with the LP National Working Committee, Obi promised to address the party’s challenges and initiate a reconciliation process. He emphasized the importance of unity, drawing parallels to resolving disagreements within his own family.
The LP National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, expressed appreciation for Obi’s reconciliation efforts and stated the party’s focus on the 2027 elections, for which they have already nominated a candidate.
As the LP navigates its internal conflicts, the party leadership remains confident in its ability to resolve the issues and maintain Obi’s candidacy for the 2027 presidential election. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the party’s path forward and its chances of securing victory in the next polls.
