Deepening the internal crisis within the Labour Party, two rival factions have issued sharply conflicting statements over the involvement of former presidential candidate Peter Obi in ongoing coalition efforts aimed at unseating the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
While the faction loyal to Senator Nenadi Usman, Chairperson of the Labour Party’s National Caretaker Committee, has endorsed Obi’s coalition engagements, the camp led by sacked former chairman Julius Abure has condemned the move, warning that the party is not part of any alliance and will not tolerate “unauthorized political adventures.”
In a statement released Monday, Ken Eluma Asogwa, Senior Special Adviser on Media to Senator Usman, declared that Obi’s participation in the emerging
coalition is fully backed by the party leadership. He described the alliance as “a patriotic convergence of well-meaning Nigerians committed to dismantling the rudderless Tinubu administration.”
Asogwa insisted that Obi’s focus on addressing hunger, insecurity, and bad governance aligns perfectly with the Labour Party’s core values. “The National Caretaker Committee expressly approved and endorsed Peter Obi’s participation,” he said, adding that any opposition to the move from “discredited former party officials” is both baseless and anti-national.
However, a counterstatement by the Abure-led faction, signed by Labour Party National Publicity Secretary Obiora Ifoh, painted a different picture. According to Ifoh, Obi’s continued engagement with external coalition actors is “a direct affront to the party’s internal processes” and was undertaken without consultation or approval from the party’s national leadership.
“The leadership of the Labour Party has observed with growing concern the recent political moves by Mr. Peter Obi,” Ifoh stated. “His actions operate completely outside the purview of the party and constitute a glaring show of disrespect.”
The statement also warned that the 2027 presidential ticket is not reserved for any aspirant, including Obi, and emphasized that “there will be no automatic endorsements.” It further noted that the Labour Party is not part of any merger discussions and will resist efforts to turn the party into a
“backup plan or a vehicle for political convenience.”
The Nenadi Usman-led faction swiftly dismissed such claims as “comical,” accusing Abure of clinging to a “self-convened and unlawful 2024 convention,” which, it said, was nullified by the Supreme Court. “It is baffling that individuals who have been shown the exit door for their anti-party activities now seek to question a move so clearly rooted in national interest,” Asogwa said.
The clash reflects a growing rift between Obi, who remains a potent political figure, and a party still struggling to define its leadership and direction following the 2023 elections. While the Usman camp reaffirms Obi’s right to run on the Labour Party platform if the coalition fails, the Abure faction insists the ticket is up for grabs and must be earned through due process.
Observers say the unfolding dispute could have major implications for Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly as opposition forces attempt to unite against a dominant APC.
With both factions claiming legitimacy and speaking for the party, the real test may lie not just in political strategy, but in legal and institutional clarity over who truly leads Labour—and who gets to speak for its future.
