The Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party (LP) has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Peter Obi, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, to resign from the party following his involvement in a new opposition coalition.
In a statement on Thursday, Obiora Ifoh, LP spokesperson, reiterated the party’s rejection of the newly formed coalition, describing it as a gathering of “recycled, desperate and frustrated politicians”.
“Former Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Gregory Obi has received a 48 hour ultimatum to formally resign his membership of the Labour Party having formally joined the coalition party,” the statement reads.
On Thursday, Obi said the decision to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the party chosen by the opposition coalition, was not taken lightly.
He was also present at the unveiling of the ADC coalition in Abuja. Ifoh alleged that Obi had been holding secret meetings with some of its members to woo them into joining the coalition.
“We are aware of several nocturnal meetings between Peter Obi and some of our members, lobbying them to join him in his new party. We’re also aware that a number of them have refused to defect with him,” he said.
“Labour Party has consistently said it is not part of the coalition, and therefore, any of our members who are part of the coalition are given 48 hours to formally resign their membership of the party.
“Labour Party is not available for people with dual agenda, people with deceptive persona. The party will not avail itself to individuals who have one leg in one party and another leg elsewhere.
“People who, in the morning, claim to be in the Labour Party and in the evening are in the coalition.
“Nearly 70 percent of the Nigerian population are youths who are tired of the old order, tired of gerontocrats deciding their fate. The new Nigeria that the youths are dreaming of is not what can be realised from what we are seeing in the coalition.”
“These people are opportunistic politicians who are only interested in relaunching themselves into the circle of power — people who are desperate to continue holding on to power.”
The spokesperson added that the LP remains committed to Nigeria’s renewal, urging members to stay loyal and maintain the party’s structure.
