ABUJA — A closed-door meeting between factional Labour Party (LP) National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has stirred unease within the camp of the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
The meeting, which reportedly held on Sunday at Wike’s residence in Abuja, has heightened speculation about new political alignments and power plays within the opposition party, especially amid the deepening leadership crisis that continues to rock the LP.
The visit comes just days after Abure’s faction issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Obi, demanding that he leave the party over alleged involvement with a new opposition coalition led by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu’s government.
Efforts by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to mediate and reconcile the LP’s divided factions appear to have failed. Sources within the electoral body revealed that INEC recently held a meeting with various party stakeholders and urged them to unite and hold a proper National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting followed by a national convention to resolve the impasse.
However, each faction reportedly rejected the advice, clinging to claims of legitimacy. The Abure-led group, which held a national convention in March 2024 and an NEC meeting in May 2025, insists that its leadership is legally constituted and has rebuffed calls for a fresh convention.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), which originally formed the Labour Party, remains at loggerheads with Abure’s faction and has continued to demand the restoration of the party’s founding principles and a leadership overhaul.
Minister Wike, a key figure in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and now a federal appointee under the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government, has previously criticized Obi. His recent meeting with Abure is seen in some quarters as a potential strategy to further destabilize LP and weaken Obi’s influence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Political observers say the timing of the parley is suspicious, particularly given Wike’s June remarks subtly mocking Obi’s claim of modest living. Wike had recalled an incident during a PDP delegation’s visit to Anambra State where Cristal Brut, an expensive champagne, was served by their host, implying a contradiction in Obi’s frugal image.
Sources close to Obi’s inner circle have described the meeting as a “worrying development,” suggesting it could be part of a broader plan to fracture the opposition and isolate the former Anambra governor.
The Abure faction, which has openly rejected any coalition talks, has accused those engaging with the ADC of being “power mongers.” They have also threatened disciplinary actions against key figures such as Governor Alex Otti and Peter Obi for alleged anti-party activities.
Sunday’s meeting between Wike and Abure adds yet another twist to the ongoing power tussle within the LP, as the party grapples with parallel leaderships, internal litigations, and strategic disagreements ahead of the next election cycle.
While the full implications of the meeting remain unclear, analysts believe the development may weaken the LP’s ability to present a unified opposition front in 2027, potentially derailing Peter Obi’s political momentum and casting uncertainty over his next political move.
