…Seeks Nigerians’ Forgiveness Over 2023 Ticket
The Labour Party has described the defection of its 2023 presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a “liberation”, admitting that presenting him as its flagbearer in the last general election was a grave political error.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Obiora Ifoh, the party said it had long parted ways with Obi and some of his supporters, insisting that his exit only formalised an existing separation.
“The party is finally liberated by this defection and as Party leaders, we count it as a blessing,” the statement said.
The Labour Party said it had taken note of Obi’s defection and his remarks at the event in Enugu, describing his address as uninspiring. “We also took note of the lacklustre speech Mr. Obi made at the occasion, and wondered what new he intends to sell to Nigerians,” it stated.
According to the party, the crisis that rocked its leadership structure was caused by Obi and the Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, whom it accused of sponsoring an internal revolt against the Julius Abure-led national leadership.
“The crisis we had in the Labour Party was caused by Peter Obi and the Abia state governor, Dr. Alex Otti. It was them that sponsored the insurrection against the Julius Abure leadership,” the statement said.
While expressing surprise that Governor Otti had not followed Obi out of the party, the Labour Party noted that he had already been suspended and urged him to align fully with his political ally. “It is still not too late for him to follow his political leader,” it added.
The party also dismissed the political significance of the ADC event held in Enugu, claiming it was poorly attended and boycotted by key institutions in the South East.
“The charade which took place today in Enugu was largely boycotted by prominent political and traditional institutions in the South East,” the party said, adding that those present were “mere political spent forces who cannot win in their wards should there be an election today.”
It warned that Obi’s new political ambition had already failed, arguing that he had lost the popularity he enjoyed before the 2023 elections. “This is clearly a danger signal that the Obi presidency (or Vice Presidency) is already a failed project from inception,” the statement said.
The Labour Party further blamed Obi for what it described as the South East’s marginal position in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, particularly in ministerial appointments and infrastructure distribution.
“He must be told that the South East lost out completely in the President Ahmed Tinubu’s government because they trusted and believed in him in 2023,” the party said, noting that the zone received “a paltry five ministerial slots.”
The party apologised to Nigerians for its decision to field Obi as its presidential candidate in 2023. “We gave Nigerians a candidate we thought was good for the nation in 2023, but time has since proved that we made the greatest political mistake. We plead for forgiveness from Nigerians,” it said.
The statement concluded with a pledge that the Labour Party was already repositioning itself ahead of future elections. “We are already working out the best prospect that we hope will bring Nigeria back to its glorious days,” it added.
Mr Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, contested the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the Labour Party after defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party in 2022.
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