The Peter Obi faction of the Labour Party has distanced itself from Monday’s reconciliation meeting between his former running mate, Dr. Datti Baba-Ahmed, and the Julius Abure-led leadership.
Recall that three members of the Labour Party had declared they were the party’s legitimate leaders, which exacerbated the party’s leadership crisis in April.
This followed the Supreme Court’s decision to disqualify Julius Abure, the party’s national chairman and someone recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
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Lamidi Apapa made matters more complicated by arguing that, as the Working Committee’s senior member, he should be the party’s leader in light of the Supreme Court’s ruling.
Meanwhile, there is the Nenadi Usman-led faction of the party, which has the backing of the LP 2023 presidential candidate Peter Pbi and the Abia State Governor Alex Otti.
The Obidient Movement Worldwide’s National Coordinator, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, told newsmen on Monday that the group was still steadfastly committed to Governor Otti and the caretaker administration led by Senator Nenadi Usman in response to the meeting between Abure and Datti Baba-Ahmed.
“We are not aware of that particular meeting, but we are resolute. We will continue as Obidients to mobilise with His Excellency, Peter Obi. And we have also said that wherever he goes, that’s where we are going.
“Of course, Nigerians are aware, and you know very clearly that Obi is with Governor Alex Otti and the Senator Nenadi Usman caretaker committee. That is where we stand.
“Being the leader of the Obidient Movement, wherever he stands, that is where we stand. That is just what I know. We are not aware of any other arrangement.”
Tanko stated that she only attended the conference as an observer when she was told that prominent Obidient loyalists, such as Hajia Nana Kazauri, were present.
Datti, Abure Truce
According to earlier reports, at a meeting of Abure’s National Executive Committee in Abuja, Datti Baba-Ahmed formally acknowledged Julius Abure as the legitimate National Chairman of the Labour Party.
“Labour Party is not a party to walk away from,” Datti said. “The successes and the history that the Labour Party of Nigeria has recorded are unique and unprecedented.”
Reflecting on the 2023 elections, he said, “We presented clear records and evidence of 10 million votes scored in the last election, thereafter reduced to 6.1 million votes. The act of state capture is a more onerous task, causing disunity and disaffection within political parties.”
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Abure responded by applauding Datti’s attempts at reconciliation and offering a helping hand to Obi, Otti, and other members who felt wronged.
“I want to state very clearly that legality does not give room to illegality. The apex court has stated clearly that the party is supreme and that the issues of leadership are internal affairs of the party. By virtue of that, we affirm that the constitution of the party and the leadership elected by members in 2024 at Nnewi, which produced the current leader.
“You will agree with me that the so-called group is not only illegitimate but illegal. Consequently, legality cannot give room to illegality.
“We are therefore using this opportunity to say that our doors are open. I think the question should go to aggrieved members of the party.
“They should sheath their sword and come back. If they return and apologise, we are ready to forgive them because we believe there is no victor, no vanquished.”
Abure also addressed the controversy surrounding his recent visit to Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. The timing and secrecy of the encounter caused some political circles to take notice.
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