Dr Doyin Okupe, former Director-General of the Peter Obi Presidential Campaign Organisation, has sounded a stern warning about the Labour Party’s (LP) future, citing its lack of solid political structure as a key reason for the ongoing wave of defections.
In a candid interview in Lagos on Sunday, Okupe blamed the party’s leadership for failing to establish an enduring framework following the 2023 general elections. This failure, he said, has left the Labour Party vulnerable and its members uncertain about their political future.
“It is not surprising that we are seeing this gale of defections,” Okupe remarked. “Elected members are jumping ship because they need to secure their political survival. The Labour Party is not providing the structure or assurances they need to remain relevant in the political space.”
Okupe’s comments come amid a series of high-profile defections from the Labour Party. At least six lawmakers recently left the party for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Among the defectors are notable figures like Rep. Tochukwu Chinedu Okere (Imo), Rep. Donatus Matthew (Kaduna), Rep. Akiba Bassey (Cross River), and Rep. Esosa Iyawe (Edo).
The exodus has not been limited to elected officials. Ordinary members of the Labour Party are also reportedly leaving in droves, joining either the APC or the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Okupe described the trend as inevitable, given the Labour Party’s origins and its current state. “The Labour Party was never built to compete with the major parties. It served as a haven for those who couldn’t secure tickets elsewhere,” he explained.
The former LP chieftain criticised both the Labour Party’s leadership and its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, for failing to capitalise on the momentum of the Obedient Movement, a youth-driven campaign that propelled Obi’s candidacy.
“What was important and completely neglected by the leadership was building a political structure,” Okupe said. “Those in the National Assembly under the Labour Party know that they are playing their last card. Without structure, they know they cannot return in 2027.”
Okupe also dismissed hopes of replicating the success of the Obedient Movement in future elections, particularly in regions like the South-West.
“What happened in the South-West during the last elections will not happen in 2027,” he stated firmly. “The circumstances are now different, and people are looking for political success tomorrow. The Labour Party has shown it is not ready to build or invest in the necessary structures.”
Okupe hinted that Peter Obi himself might not remain with the Labour Party. He pointed to Obi’s recent meeting with Atiku Abubakar, the PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, in Adamawa as a possible sign of shifting alliances.
“Obi was seen with Atiku in Adamawa recently. That should tell you something,” Okupe said. “It shows that all options are open for him. The followers in the Labour Party are not blind. They see what is happening.”
While Okupe did not confirm whether Obi plans to leave the party, his comments have added fuel to speculation about the former Anambra governor’s political future.
Okupe’s remarks underscore a growing sense of disillusionment within the Labour Party. Critics have long argued that the party has failed to transform from a platform of convenience into a robust political organisation.
Political analysts also point to the party’s inability to retain elected officials as a sign of deeper systemic issues. “Defections at this scale are not just about ambition,” said a Lagos-based political analyst. “They reveal a lack of confidence in the party’s future and its leadership’s vision.”
With the next general elections three years away, the Labour Party faces an uphill battle to regain its footing. Okupe’s stark assessment suggests that without immediate action, the party risks becoming irrelevant in Nigeria’s political landscape.
“2027 will not be like 2023,” Okupe warned. “If the Labour Party continues on its current path, it will struggle to retain even the small influence it has now.”
