Politics
Leadership crisis: Obi threatens to dump Labour Party
The LP has been hit by crises — ranging from allegations of misappropriation of funds, leadership tussle, to calls for the resignation of the party’s chairman — since last year’s election.
On Wednesday, the LP conducted a controversial national convention in Anambra state which re-elected Julius Abure as its national chairman.
Obi did not attend the convention, fuelling speculations that he may be mulling ditching the LP for another platform.
Speaking at a Spaces session on X (formerly Twitter) organised by Parallel Facts on Friday night, Obi said he is still a member of the LP, noting that he will never engage in anti-party activities.
Speaking on the crisis rocking the party, the former Anambra governor said the focus should be on building a new Nigeria.
He also called for the structuring of the ‘Obidient movement’.
“I am still a member of Labour Party and I don’t and will never do anti-party,” Obi said.
“We will do whatever is possible. As we go along, we will see what happens. Let us remain focused on building a new Nigeria.
“We want the party to work and pursue what we set out to do and that is to change the country. We should not lose that focus and face minor issues that will distract us.
“We promised to build Nigeria, we did not promise to build a new Labour Party.
“It is the standard practice around the world where movements form themselves into blocs and are part of the political process.”
‘IT’S MY NORMAL WAY OF LIFE’
Obi said visiting worship centres and handing out donations at places he visits has always been his way of life long before he joined politics, noting that he is not campaigning.
“I am not campaigning. I have been doing things like this before I got into politics. It is bad that politics in Nigeria is transactional,” Obi said.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has referred to Peter Obi, who is the candidate representing the Labour Party in the presidential election of 2023, as a “social media candidate.
This characterization highlights Obi’s significant reliance on social media platforms for campaigning and engaging with the electorate, reflecting a modern approach to political discourse and outreach in the contemporary electoral landscape.
Wike, who spoke during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, said he believed that Obi did not stand a realistic chance of winning the presidential race.
According to the former Rivers governor, Obi is a “social media candidate.”
“No, he has no chance to win election. I don’t go to where you see people like this kind of social media candidate. I don’t do social media candidate,” Wike said.
Wike added that as a politician, he analyses candidates based on their prospect of victory rather than those the masses believe are popular online.
“I said I see that as a politician, and I analyse the candidate who is likely to win.
“In politics, it’s not always the right that oh, this is the best candidate. No, no, no. You see Nigerians today, in politics, so many factors come in.”
As the political landscape intensifies in the lead-up to the 2027 elections, various factions are strategically maneuvering behind the scenes. They aim to assemble a formidable team capable of displacing the current President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, from office come election day.
Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, a notable figure within the All Progressives Congress (APC), has been rumoured as a potential running mate for Atiku Abubakar. …CONTINUE READING.
Amaechi lost political form when he could not succeeded in his attempt to win the ticket to contest for the 2023 presidential election under the banner of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and having earlier followed the moral route to resign from his ministerial post before purchasing the party’s nomination form for the APC presidential primary election.
He was singlehandedly defeated by Bola Tinubu and has been quiet politically.
This Atiku/Amaechi speculation gained momentum as Peter Obi plans to pull out from a proposed coalition with the former Vice President, leaving a vacuum that Amaechi might fill.
To make things worst for Atiku, his party, The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Governors Forum, have distanced itself from a coalition of opposition politicians. The Forum under the leadership of the Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, said it won’t join any alliance ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
A source within PDP who spoke on the condition of anonymity indicated that Atiku has the option of joining the Social Democratic Party (SDP), with Rotimi Amaechi potentially serving as his running mate, following the recent rejection he faced within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The prospect of a political alliance between Atiku Abubakar and Rotimi Amaechi holds no promise, obviously with significant challenges. Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President, may see potential in selecting Amaechi, a former Governor of Rivers State, as his running mate due to his ambition and the most available at the moment, but the possibility of lasting romance is doubtful.
However, this idea has been met with skepticism from Peter Obi, who believes that aligning himself with Atiku could undermine his own political ambitions and would reduce his Obidient Movenment.
Moreover, Obi has expressed concerns about trust, citing previous conflicts and differences with Atiku. This skepticism is echoed among a substantial segment of Obi’s supporters, who harbor doubts about the viability and sincerity of such a partnership, fearing that it may not benefit their aspirations in the long run.
They question whether the former Governor of Rivers State possesses the necessary support and appeal to galvanize the electorate against an incumbent president who enjoys significant backing. As the 2027 elections approach, the dynamics within these political factions will undoubtedly continue to evolve.
The race for the 2027 general election has officially begun, with various groups mobilizing and realigning across the major political parties. Recently, former Kaduna Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai announced his defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
In his resignation from the APC, El-Rufai stated that the party had deviated from its founding principles and had become intolerant of internal democracy. He accused the leadership of sidelining members and failing to fulfil the promises that brought them to power. El-Rufai also hinted at plans to engage with other opposition figures to build a stronger coalition ahead of future elections.
However, City People’s findings suggest that El-Rufai’s entry into the SDP has not been warmly welcomed. Some SDP leaders feel his presence could destabilize the party’s operations. An SDP chieftain based in Akure expressed scepticism, arguing that El-Rufai joined the party for personal reasons rather than for the nation’s benefit. He stated, “El-Rufai joined the party (SDP) for selfish interests. He feels that his chances in APC were limited and that he had completely sidelined. He hopes to be chosen for the role of vice president in the next election, which is unlikely to happen in the APC.”
El-Rufai has also identified himself as a strong advocate for a Southern candidate after 8 years under former President Muhammadu Buhari, believing that the north has had its time and that the next eight years should be given to the south. Recently, while speaking on Arise News Channel’s Prime Time show, he indicated a preference for a southern candidate to replace President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 electoral cycle.
Currently, there have been ongoing talks between El-Rufai and other political leaders, such as Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party. Although El-Rufai has emphasized his support for a Southern candidate, it remains uncertain whether these discussions will yield tangible results.
Reports have also suggested that Obi might be considering joining the SDP. El-Rufai’s son, Bashir El-Rufai, fueled speculation by hinting that Obi could come to the SDP in response to a post on X. A user claimed that the SDP would struggle against the APC without Obi, to which Bashir replied, “He is coming.”
To strengthen the SDP and attract figures like Peter Obi, El-Rufai is working to bring some discontented APC chieftains—such as Abubakar Malami, former Attorney General of the Federation, and Abdullahi Adamu, former national chairman of the APC—into the SDP in the coming months.
El-Rufai’s swift departure from the APC seems aimed at solidifying his chances to run alongside Obi, who is reportedly considering a move from the Labour Party to the SDP. Currently, El-Rufai holds the position of national leader in the SDP and feels in control of the party. A statement from the SDP leadership praised El-Rufai’s extensive political experience and reformist approach, stating: “Mallam Nasiru Ahmad El-Rufai brings decades of leadership, governance expertise, and strategic thinking. His appointment as national leader strengthens the SDP’s mission to offer Nigerians a credible alternative.”
The central question many Nigerians are asking is: Will Peter Obi leave the Labour Party for the Social Democratic Party? Analysts believe that the supporters of Peter Obi, known as the “Obidients,” are not attached to any political party but rather to Obi himself.
A few months ago, while addressing his supporters; he made it known about the current crisis within the Labour Party, Obi stated that he could leave the party for another if the situation did not improve. He made this point during an engagement with his supporters on his verified X account. The former Anambra State Governor emphasized that his primary focus—and the focus of committed members of the Obedient Movement—is to make Nigeria work for all citizens. He asserted that the current issues within the Labour Party are part of a distracting strategy that neither he nor his supporters are willing to succumb to. Obi stated, “Our engagement is about Nigeria; they are trying to change our focus. What we want to achieve is not about the Labour Party; it is about what the Obidients want to accomplish.”
– Citypeople
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has reacted to the statement credited to Senator Alli Ndume on why Tinubu should be fearful of Buhari ahead of 2027 polls.
Ndume had said during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today that Tinubu should be concerned if former President Muhammadu Buhari is not aligned with him.
But in a swift reaction, a chieftain of the APC, dismissed Ndume’s statement saying,”Tinubu is not a politician who operates out of fear, unlike those who seek political sympathy through such means. ...CONTINUE READING.
Ndume articulated that, although Buhari possesses only one vote, he continues to be a prominent and respected figure in Northern Nigeria.
A source from the presidency said contrary to reservations expressed by Ndume , Tinubu is not afraid of anybody.
Senator Ndume’s remarks followed a visit by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and several key opposition figures to Buhari’s residence in Kaduna on Friday.
“Those boys running around Buhari have not political values again in this country and most of them are retired personalities. I can tell you authoritatively that those boys you see around Buhari and the Buhari himself cannot stop Tinubu for reelection in 2027.”
“Who’s Buhari that Tinubu will be afraid of? Have you forgotten this same Buhari was made President by Tinubu. Without Tinubu, history would have forgotten him. He cried to Tinubu for help and we all know the impact of Tinubu singlehandedly. Tinubu does not need Buhari for 2027 because he never supported him as incumbent. Those boys you see around Buhari kneeling down would soon understand why Buhari can’t help them to stop Tinubu.”
In the run-up to the 2027 elections, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has officially announced ongoing discussions regarding potential merger talks among several leading political parties.
The aim of these negotiations is to present a unified front against the incumbent president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in an effort to secure a victory in the upcoming electoral contest.
Atiku emphasized the importance of collaboration among opposition parties to effectively challenge Tinubu’s administration and address the pressing issues facing the nation. …CONTINUE READING.
The merger discussions are seen as a strategic move to combine resources, mobilize support, and enhance their chances of success in what is anticipated to be a highly competitive election.
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