The chairperson of the Labour Party (LP) in Lagos State, Dayo Ekong, has advised Peter Obi to “pause and reflect,” warning that his political influence is waning due to poor choices and inconsistent strategies.
In a statement shared on her X page on Tuesday, Ekong noted that Obi’s surge in popularity during the 2023 elections was not built on his personality alone, but on party structures, grassroots mobilisation, and a strong public yearning for change.
“In 2023, Nigerians rallied behind him because he represented a fresh alternative,” Ekong wrote.
“But today, his actions are beginning to erode the foundation of that support.”
She argued that the “grace” which propelled Obi’s rise has since faded, pointing to a string of recent electoral defeats as proof.
Ekong cited the 2024 Edo governorship election, where Obi backed Olumide Akpata against the preference of party leaders. Despite Obi’s campaign rallies across Edo State, Akpata lost to the APC’s Monday Okpebholo.
Similarly, she recalled the 2023 Imo governorship election, where Obi campaigned for LP’s Athan Achonu, who was defeated by Governor Hope Uzodimma of the APC.
“Back-to-back failures in Imo and Edo should raise questions about Obi’s political strategy,” she said.
The Lagos LP chair described the Anambra by-election as the “most embarrassing blow.” Obi, she claimed, abandoned LP’s candidate and instead supported Justina Azuka of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), even donning an ADC-branded cap during campaigns. In the end, ADC polled just 1,909 votes, while LP also performed poorly, losing the Onitsha North 1 seat to APGA, which secured 7,774 votes.
Ekong recalled Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s remark that the result signaled the “death” of both LP and ADC in Anambra.
She said Obi’s political missteps are gradually stripping him of credibility, even within his traditional strongholds.
“A wise politician should know when to stop and think deeply about the direction he is heading,” she said.
Ekong urged Obi to reconcile with LP leadership and focus on rebuilding trust among supporters.
“We openly criticised Wike for his PDP/APC antics, yet we look away from Obi’s LP/ADC antics,” she added.
“The electorate are watching and slowly making up their minds about 2027.”
