The Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party (LP) has given former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, a 48-hour ultimatum to resign from the party following his involvement in a newly formed opposition coalition.
In a statement issued Thursday, LP spokesperson Obiora Ifoh expressed strong disapproval of Obi’s participation in the coalition, which has adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its platform, 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.
Obi, who was present at the unveiling of the ADC-led coalition in Abuja, had earlier stated that his decision to join the movement was carefully considered.
However, Ifoh accused Obi of clandestinely recruiting LP members to defect alongside him.
“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 alleged.
He stressed that the Labour Party remains completely uninvolved in the coalition and will not tolerate members attempting to serve two political interests at once.
“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,” Ifoh added.
He further noted that the coalition does not represent the aspirations of Nigerian youths.
“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.”
Despite the internal crisis, the LP reaffirmed its commitment to national renewal and urged members to stay loyal to the party’s values and structure.
