ABUJA — Tensions flared within the Labour Party (LP) on Tuesday as opposing factions disagreed sharply over an alleged plan to expel the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, for engaging in coalition talks under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
A splinter group loyal to Julius Abure claimed Obi’s involvement in the ADC-led coalition was grounds for his expulsion. However, the Sen. Nenadi Usman-led National Caretaker Committee (NCC) dismissed the threat, insisting that Obi enjoys the full support of the legitimate party leadership.
Speaking through his media adviser, Ken Asogwa, Usman described the expulsion threat as “laughable,” stating that those behind it were removed from party leadership by the Supreme Court’s April 4 ruling. He accused the Abure camp of acting on behalf of “shadowy interests” determined to derail the growing opposition alliance.
“The impostors threatening Obi are unknown to the party,” Asogwa said. “They are merely political jesters whose only relevance lies in attacking Obi.”
He reiterated that the LP, through a statement issued on May 25, had affirmed its support for Obi’s role in the coalition effort, which aims to form a viable alternative ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“The desperate rantings of these meddlesome interlopers should be disregarded,” the Usman-led committee urged Nigerians. “Their relevance, anchored solely on attacking Obi, will evaporate once he formally aligns with the coalition platform.”
The counterstatement followed a television interview by Abayomi Arabambi, spokesperson for the Abure faction, who insisted that Obi’s coalition involvement was unconstitutional. Arabambi claimed that belonging to two political parties simultaneously was illegal and announced that a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting would soon be convened to expel the former Anambra governor.
This controversy also follows a 48-hour ultimatum previously issued to Obi by the Abure-led National Working Committee, demanding that he resign from the LP.
Despite the heated rhetoric, Obi has remained silent on the matter. His growing role in the ADC-backed coalition continues to attract both support and resistance within Nigeria’s fractured opposition landscape.
