The Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, asking him to leave the party following his involvement in a new political coalition.
In a statement released on Thursday in Abuja and signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the faction expressed strong opposition to the coalition, warning that it is filled with politicians who have previously failed Nigeria.
Ifoh said Obi has been holding secret meetings with some Labour Party members, trying to convince them to join his new political alliance. However, the party claims many members have refused to follow 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,” Ifoh said. “Any of our members who is part of the coalition has 48 hours to resign from Labour Party.”
He also accused the coalition of being made up of recycled politicians, calling them “power mongers” and “desperate individuals” who cannot build a new Nigeria.
“The so-called coalition is a gathering of the same people who mismanaged Nigeria in the past. These people are not interested in the people; they only want to grab power again,” Ifoh said.
He added that the popular slogan, “A New Nigeria is Possible”, cannot be achieved with those he described as “opportunists” and “frustrated politicians.”
The statement further stressed that the Labour Party will not allow any of its members to play a double game, warning against having “one leg in the Labour Party and another in a different group.”
Since the 2023 general election, Peter Obi has remained a major political figure, especially among youths and first-time voters. However, recent moves by him to form alliances with other political figures have raised tensions within the Labour Party.
As of press time, Peter Obi has not responded publicly to the 48-hour ultimatum.
