The National Vice Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Ceekay Igara, has addressed concerns regarding the recent wave of defections to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). He insisted that the party’s 2023 success was due to a solid institutional foundation rather than just the influence of one individual.
Speaking on national television, Igara claimed that while Peter Obi contributed to the party’s popularity, the platform provided the necessary structure for his candidacy. He argued that Nigerians chose the Labour Party (LP) because they assessed it as a viable and organized option among nineteen political parties.
Internal struggles over the 2023 presidential ticket
Igara revealed that making Peter Obi the party’s candidate in 2023 was not an easy task for the national leadership. He disclosed that several long-standing aspirants initially opposed Obi’s candidacy because he had just joined the party at the time.
The national leadership reportedly had to intervene and persuade other aspirants to step down to allow the former Anambra governor to fly the flag. This internal negotiation was a critical moment that shaped the party’s trajectory during the last general election cycle.
Testing the movement outside the Labour Party
Reflecting on the future, the Labour Party (LP) chieftain noted that the true test of popularity would be seen in the 2027 elections. He challenged the idea that the “Obidient” movement can be easily replicated on another political platform like the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
“Now that he has moved on, let us see if what was achieved in 2023 can be replicated on another platform,” Igara stated. He emphasized that the party is now focused on consolidating its base and improving its electoral performance beyond mere social media enthusiasm.
