Abia State Governor and leader of the Labour Party, Dr Alex Otti, has described the exit of the party’s former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as highly regrettable, admitting that his departure represents a major loss to the party amid its lingering leadership crisis.
Otti spoke in Abuja during a meeting with members of the party’s Board of Trustees, leaders of the National Caretaker Committee and representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress.
The meeting came barely 24 hours after the Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party faulted the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission to recognise the Nenadi Usman-led National Caretaker Committee, describing the move as hasty, and prejudicial, adding that it aimed to sabotage the party’s leadership.
Speaking about Obi’s exit, Governor Otti said the Labour Party regretted losing its former standard-bearer but wished him well in his future political endeavours.
Otti also disclosed that following the party’s recent court victory, the new leadership had resolved to pursue reconciliation and rebuild internal cohesion.
According to him, a reconciliation committee would be set up to engage aggrieved members, including the ousted national chairman, Julius Abure, but warned that such efforts would only succeed if party rules were strictly observed.
He said, “We have decided there is a need to set up a reconciliation committee. The interim NWC will advise us on when to set up that committee. The entire idea is to reconcile everyone who is waiting and desires to return.
“We want to appeal to Julius Abure and his team to sheathe their swords and come back to the party. If they’re able to abide by the rules of the party, we will be happy to see them back.
“We also want to tell those who want to join the party that our doors are open to receive them. Finally, we regret that we’ll not be able to participate as a party in the forthcoming FCT council elections.”
When asked whether the Labour Party planned to join the emerging opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections, Otti dismissed the idea, insisting that the party already represented a coalition of its own.
According to him, the party is a coalition on its own comprising Nigerian workers
