The crisis in the Labour Party and its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has escalated amid fresh accusations and counter-accusations over the party’s direction ahead of the 2027 general election.
The party leadership, through its National Secretary, Umar Farouk, on Tuesday, accused Obi of waging a sustained campaign of media blackmail against the National Chairman, Julius Abure, and other top officials.
The latest fallout follows Obi’s appearance on Arise Television, where he alleged that the All Progressives Congress had infiltrated the Labour Party to destabilise its leadership.
The party dismissed the claims as unfounded, challenging Obi to provide evidence and accusing him of shirking responsibility for internal party crises.
It urged Obi to desist from what it described as a sustained campaign of media blackmail against the party’s leadership.
“Our attention was called to an interview granted by Obi wherein he alleged that the APC-led Federal Government has infiltrated the leadership of the Labour Party and is fomenting crisis in the party.
“But when asked to produce evidence, Obi had nothing tangible to offer.”
“Unfortunately, Mr Obi continues to misinform Nigerians on the root of the internal crisis within the Labour Party, even though he knows that most political parties face one form of crisis or another,” he said.
Farouk placed the blame for the party’s internal strife squarely on Obi and Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, who he said remained suspended from the party for anti-party activities.
He insisted that the ruling APC had no hand in LP’s troubles, challenging Obi to present any proof to the contrary.
“Nobody is infallible. When good leaders fail, they should take responsibility. Obi failed in providing leadership for the party and should own up to that failure instead of shifting blame,” Farouk said.
He noted that despite their recent criticisms, Obi’s recognition of Abure as national chairman during his interview was a subtle acknowledgement of legitimate leadership.
“As far as we are concerned, the issue is settled. Julius Abure remains the national chairman of the Labour Party. That fact is not in dispute.
“We urge Peter Obi and other aggrieved members to come to terms with this and work toward the unity of the party,” he concluded.