Amid ongoing turmoil within the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has reaffirmed his allegiance to the Julius Abure-led faction.
This assurance was made amidst a prolonged leadership crisis that has tested the party’s stability and public image.
Obi, who was at a September 2024 meeting convened by Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, where former Finance Minister Nenadi Usman was appointed interim leader, has remained a steadfast ally of Abure. Despite this, the courts have upheld Abure’s position as the legitimate National Chairman, with recent rulings from the High Court and Court of Appeal bolstering his leadership position.
Speaking on Politics Today on Wednesday, the party’s Legal Adviser, Kehinde Edun, dispelled any doubts about Obi’s loyalty. “He [Obi] has not made any categorical statement about leaving the party. He speaks with us regularly and has shown no indication of stepping away. He is firmly with the Abure camp,” Edun emphasized.
The Labour Party’s leadership crisis has cast a shadow over its political agenda. The schism was heightened by Nenadi Usman’s appointment as interim leader, a move that Edun described as unconstitutional. The Appeal Court’s recent judgment, delivered by Justice Hamma Barka, reaffirmed Abure’s chairmanship, stating that prior rulings from November 2024 remain binding and have not been overturned.
Justice Barka’s panel also clarified that the leadership dispute was beyond the scope of the judiciary, declaring it “non-justiciable.” Despite Nenadi Usman’s legal efforts to challenge Abure’s authority, the court ruled firmly in favor of the status quo.
Acknowledging the damage caused by the ongoing crisis, Edun expressed the party’s commitment to reconciliation. “We are making efforts to bring everyone together. We have not picked a fight with anyone, nor have we initiated lawsuits against our members. Our priority is unity,” he said, noting that the disputes were primarily with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), not individuals within the party.
This crisis threatens to overshadow the Labour Party’s growing popularity as an opposition force in Nigeria. The internal strife, Edun admitted, has diverted attention from critical political objectives. However, he assured party members and supporters that there is still time to mend fences and move forward united.
The Labour Party’s ability to resolve its internal disputes will determine its future as a credible political contender. For now, Peter Obi’s loyalty to the Abure-led leadership provides a sense of stability amidst the chaos. But the question remains: Can the Labour Party rise above its internal divisions to fulfill its promise of a better future for Nigerians?