Labour party faction gives Peter Obi 48-hour ultimatum over opposition coalition ties
A faction of the Labour Party (LP) loyal to Julius Abure has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Peter Obi, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, demanding that he resign his membership over his alleged involvement in a new opposition coalition led by former Senate President David Mark.
In a statement released Thursday, the group’s spokesperson, Obiora Ifoh, accused Obi of maintaining a dual political allegiance and holding secret meetings to persuade LP members to join him in the coalition backed by the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
“We are aware of several nocturnal meetings between Peter Obi and some of our members, lobbying them to join him in his new party,” Ifoh stated. “Labour Party has consistently said it is not part of the coalition, and therefore any of our members who is part of the coalition is given within 48 hours to formally resign his membership of the party.”
The faction described the coalition as a gathering of politicians who have previously “mismanaged Nigeria” and are now seeking to reenter power under a new platform.
“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,” the statement added.
The coalition, which was unveiled Wednesday in Abuja, chose the ADC as its political vehicle for the 2027 elections. Former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola was named interim Secretary alongside David Mark as interim Chairman.
Among those present at the launch were former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; ex-governors Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, and Emeka Ihedioha; along with Dino Melaye, Solomon Dalong, Dele Momodu, Ireti Kingibe, Sadique Abubakar, and Gabriel Suswam.
Obi has not officially responded to the ultimatum or confirmed his defection, but his visible association with the coalition has sparked controversy within the Labour Party’s leadership.
