By Abiola Olawale
Ahead of the forthcoming 2027 general elections, a Presidential candidate of the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, might have dropped a hint on his decision to remain in the Labour Party, the platform through which contested the last election.
This is as the former Anambra Governor distanced himself from the crisis rocking the Labour Party, asserting that his mission is to rebuild Nigeria and not the party.
Obi, who spoke on an X space hosted by Parallel Facts also said he ignored the National Convention of the party because the party leadership under Barrister Julius Abure failed to do wide consultation with key stakeholders before embarking on the said convention.
Though Obi emphasized the need for the right thing to be done to salvage the party, he stated that he is more passionate about building a new Nigeria than building a new Labour Party.
“We promised to build Nigeria, we did not promise to build a New Labour Party,” he emphatically affirmed.
He also threw his weight behind the call for a structure for the ‘OBIdient’ movement.
“It is the standard practice around the world where movements form themselves into blocs and are part of the political process,” he added.
The New Diplomat reports that the Labour Party has been witnessing stormy waters in recent times. Some stakeholders in the party had demanded the resignation of Abure over allegations of misappropriation of the party’s funds and misuse of power.
Also, Abure has been having a running battle with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) under the leadership of Comrade Joe Ajaero.
Earlier, the NLC called for Abure’s resignation as party chairman and the immediate constitution of a caretaker transition committee to organise a legitimate and all-inclusive national convention for the party.
However, despite calls from some quarters within the party for the postponement of the National Convention, the exercise took place and Abure was declared re-elected as the National Chairman of the Labour Party.
The Chairman of the National Convention and Deputy Governor of Abia State, Mr. Ikechukwu Emetu declared him the winner during the party’s national convention that was held on Wednesday in Nnewi, Anambra State.
Since the declaration, the Board of Trustees of the Labour Party declared the National Convention null and void. The BoT also side-lined Abure, declaring that it had taken over the running of the affairs of the party.
This was contained in a statement issued late Wednesday, March 27, by the BoT, through its Chairman, Comrade S.O.Z. Ejiofor.
In a counter-reaction, the Labour Party described the Board of Trustees’ attempt to take over its leadership as not only laughable but also completely unacceptable.
