The Labour Party (LP) has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to its former presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, demanding that he formally resign from the party following his involvement in a new political coalition.
In a strongly worded press statement released on Wednesday and signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Obiora Ifoh, the party made it clear that it is not part of the coalition and does not welcome any member with a “dual agenda”.
“The Labour Party has consistently said it is not part of the coalition and therefore, any of our members who are part of the coalition is given within 48 hours to formally resign his membership of the party,” the statement read.
The party accused the coalition of being made up of “power mongers” and “desperate politicians” who do not represent the interest of ordinary Nigerians.
“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,” Ifoh disclosed.
He further warned that the much-touted slogan “A New Nigeria is Possible” was deceptive and cannot be achieved by what he described as “old, recycled, desperate and frustrated politicians.”
“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,” he added.
The party did not mince words about its disapproval of Obi’s move, saying: “Labour Party is not available for people with a dual agenda, people with a deceptive persona. The party will not avail itself to individuals who have one leg in one party and another leg elsewhere. People who claim to be in the Labour Party in the morning and are in coalition in the evening.”
Emphasising the party’s focus on youth inclusion, Ifoh said: “Nearly 70 per cent 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 realized from what we are seeing in the coalition.”
He concluded by urging party loyalists to remain steadfast and preserve the structure of the LP ahead of the 2027 elections.
Meanwhile, the coalition in question on Tuesday formally adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its platform for the 2027 general elections, appointing former Senate President, Distinguished Senator David Mark as National Chairman, and former Osun State Governor, H.E. Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, as National Secretary.
Speaking about the coalition, Obi said the decision came after much reflection on Nigeria’s current state and what is required to steer the country in a better direction.
“Our commitment is to sacrifice and work together towards the 2027 General Elections, ensuring that Nigeria gets a competent, capable, and compassionate leadership that will prioritise the nation’s future by putting the welfare of Nigerians first,” his statement on social media read.
Echoing his political mantra, Peter Obi said, “A New Nigeria is Possible,” while expressing hope that the coalition would foster collaboration across divides.
“No one group can change Nigeria alone. To dismantle the structures that keep our people in poverty and insecurity, we must build bridges, not walls even when those bridges are uneasy,” he added.
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