A fierce political storm is brewing within the Labour Party (LP) as factions loyal to Lamidi Apapa and Julius Abure have jointly issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, demanding his resignation. This follows Obi’s alignment with a newly launched political coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which he publicly endorsed on Thursday via his verified X (formerly Twitter) account.
In a series of blistering statements issued by factional spokespersons—Dr. Abayomi Arabambi (Apapa-led faction) and Obiora Ifoh (Abure-led faction)—Obi was accused of abandoning the party and fraternising with what they described as a “coalition of desperate political hawks” and “recycled power mongers.”
Obi, the former governor of Anambra State, stated that the coalition’s adoption of the ADC as its political platform for the 2027 general elections signals a new direction for Nigeria. He revealed that former Senate President David Mark would serve as the National Chairman of the coalition, while former Minister Rauf Aregbesola takes on the role of National Secretary.
“Our commitment is to sacrifice and work together towards the 2027 general elections,” Obi wrote. “We want a competent, capable, and compassionate leadership that will prioritise Nigerians’ welfare.”
He added, “No one group can change Nigeria alone. To dismantle the structures that keep our people in poverty and insecurity, we must build bridges, even if they are uneasy.”
But the Labour Party’s factions aren’t buying it.
“Desperate Politicians Can’t Birth A New Nigeria” — Labour Party Fires Back
Arabambi condemned the coalition in scathing terms, saying it is nothing more than a “convergence of political desperadoes under the ADC umbrella, driven by selfish interests rather than national solutions.”
“Peter Obi’s attendance at the unveiling of this coalition while still identifying with the Labour Party is a political scam—an act of duplicity that our party sees as deceitful,” he charged. “We hereby hand him a 48-hour ultimatum to formally resign from the Labour Party.”
According to Arabambi, those who have brought Nigeria to its knees over the years are the same faces now regrouping under the banner of “a new Nigeria.”
“Such opportunistic moves are not only deceptive but dangerous,” he said. “The so-called ‘new Nigeria’ is merely a recycled dream sold by frustrated politicians eager to retain power through the backdoor.”
Echoing the same sentiment, Ifoh of the Abure-led faction stated, “Peter Gregory Obi has 48 hours to formally resign his membership of the Labour Party after joining a coalition we do not recognise nor support.”
He added, “We are aware of his secret meetings, lobbying our members to defect. Let it be known that Labour Party will not entertain dual loyalty or two-faced political actors.”
Ifoh stressed that the party’s vision for a transformed Nigeria cannot be realised through alliances with “power-hungry individuals driven by personal ambition.”
“The youths, who make up nearly 70% of Nigeria’s population, deserve better than this charade,” he said. “This coalition does not speak to the aspirations of our young people who are tired of the status quo. It is simply a relaunch pad for politicians who should have retired long ago.”
As the political drama unfolds, both LP factions insist they will not allow the party to be used as a stepping stone for political mercenaries. They warn that any Labour Party member found associating with the coalition must resign or face disciplinary measures.
“Our resolve is firm,” said Arabambi. “The Labour Party is not a halfway house for those seeking shelter while flirting with other platforms.”
Meanwhile, political observers are watching closely as the rift deepens, threatening to fracture the party ahead of the 2027 elections. Will Peter Obi bow to pressure and resign, or will this be the start of a new political realignment in Nigeria’s opposition bloc?
Only time will tell, but the battle lines within the Labour Party are now clearly drawn—and the countdown has begun.
PIONEER NEWS 