Labour Party Faction Tells Obi to Resign Within 48 Hours Over Coalition Involvement

Tension is rising in the Labour Party as its faction led by Julius Abure has demanded that Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, step down within 48 hours.

The group insists that Obi’s recent support for a new opposition coalition goes against the party’s principles and direction.

The ultimatum was made public in a statement issued from Abuja by Obiora Ifoh, the faction’s spokesperson. He described the newly formed alliance as a gathering of long-standing political actors whose record, in his words, lacks credibility. The faction accused the coalition of being driven by selfish ambition rather than a true desire to improve the country.

Obi has recently aligned himself with the coalition, which has adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its official platform for the 2027 general elections. The coalition includes prominent political figures such as Atiku Abubakar, Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, and others. Former Senate President David Mark and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola have been appointed interim chairman and secretary respectively.

The Abure-led faction has expressed strong disapproval of this development. According to Ifoh, the Labour Party was not consulted or included in the coalition’s plans, and any member showing support for the alliance is acting on their own. He said those involved must choose between remaining in the party or joining the new group, but not both.

The faction also alleged that Peter Obi has been holding private meetings with some Labour Party members to convince them to join him in the coalition. Despite this, the statement claimed many have declined the offer and remain loyal to the party. Ifoh insisted that Labour Party membership should not be mixed with allegiance to other platforms.

The group warned that anyone within the party who continues to associate with the new coalition must resign within the given timeframe. It argued that dual loyalty is unacceptable, especially from those aiming to lead or influence the future of the country.

Obi, however, appears determined to push forward with the coalition agenda. In a recent post on social media, he explained that the decision to join the alliance was the result of careful thought and a desire to rescue Nigeria from its current challenges. He stressed that no single political party can solve Nigeria’s problems alone, and that unity among well-meaning groups is the only path forward.

He described the alliance as a step toward building a stronger, more inclusive political movement capable of producing leadership that is not only competent but also compassionate. According to him, the aim is to bring about real change by bridging divides and challenging systems that have kept Nigerians trapped in poverty and insecurity.

The growing split in the Labour Party comes at a critical time, with opposition forces regrouping ahead of the 2027 elections. As the deadline issued by the Abure faction draws closer, observers are watching closely to see whether Obi will formally exit the party or remain defiant. Either way, the decision is likely to shape the direction of opposition politics in the coming months.