The Julius Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the Labour Party has described the defection of its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a “liberation,” saying it regretted presenting him as its flagbearer in the last general election.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, December 31, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, said Obi’s departure merely confirmed what the leadership claimed had long been the reality amid the party’s lingering leadership crisis.
According to the statement, the party had taken note of Obi’s exit alongside some of his supporters, adding that it was unsurprised by the move, which it said should have happened earlier.
Ifoh said the party had effectively parted ways with Obi and some of his supporters in the National Assembly since September 2024, describing the defection as a welcome development that had freed the party from internal distractions.
He added that the Labour Party had repeatedly urged Obi and his loyalists to leave if they were unwilling to work with the Abure-led leadership. He disclosed that disciplinary actions, including suspensions, had already been taken against several lawmakers accused of anti-party activities, noting that similar measures would have been applied to Obi but for interventions by concerned stakeholders.
The statement also accused Obi and Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, of playing roles in the party’s internal crisis, alleging that both figures supported efforts to destabilise the current leadership. While expressing surprise that Otti had not followed Obi to the ADC, the party said the suspended governor remained associated with the party despite disciplinary measures.
The Abure-led leadership further dismissed Obi’s defection rally held in Enugu, claiming it was poorly attended and largely boycotted by influential political and traditional leaders in the South-East. It described the event as a warning sign that Obi’s future presidential or vice-presidential ambition lacked broad support.
The party also criticised Obi’s 2023 presidential bid, arguing that it negatively affected the South-East’s political standing under the current administration. It claimed the region received fewer ministerial appointments and continued to experience marginalisation in infrastructure development.
Ifoh said the party regretted fielding Obi as its presidential candidate in 2023 and apologised to Nigerians for what it described as a major political misjudgment.
The statement concluded with a call for Nigerians to look forward to what the party said would be a better alternative in future elections, adding that efforts were already underway to reposition the Labour Party.
Peter Obi had earlier announced his defection to the ADC at an event held at the Nike Lake Resort in Enugu State, where he called on Nigerians and opposition groups to unite under a broad coalition aimed at addressing poverty, disunity, and democratic challenges in the country.
