The Labour Party faction led by Julius Abure has accused former presidential candidate Peter Obi of instigating the ongoing leadership crisis within the party.
Umar Ibrahim, the national secretary aligned with Abure, issued a statement on Tuesday responding to Obi’s recent allegations that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) infiltrated the Labour Party to provoke internal conflict.
Ibrahim dismissed Obi’s claims as misleading, emphasizing that the crisis stems from internal mismanagement attributed to Obi himself and Abia State Governor Alex Otti.
“It is important to state clearly that the problems within the Labour Party were not created by the APC,” Ibrahim said. “Rather, the issues were caused and sustained by Peter Obi and Dr. Alex Otti, who is currently suspended for anti-party activities.”
The faction challenged Obi to provide any evidence supporting his assertion that the Abure-led leadership is collaborating with the APC-led federal government.
“When good leaders fail, they should accept responsibility. Obi failed to provide effective leadership and should own up to his mistakes,” the statement added.
The faction also accused Obi and Otti of attempting to damage the Labour Party’s reputation by repeatedly alleging external interference.
“We call on Peter Obi and other disgruntled members to accept that Barrister Julius Abure’s leadership is legitimate and here to stay,” Ibrahim declared.
He further argued that it is contradictory for Obi to suggest that the Abure-led leadership, which contributed to his 2023 election success, would now conspire with the APC they opposed.
