Labour Party Crisis Deepens as Faction Questions Obis 2027 Ticket

Fresh tension has gripped the Labour Party as a faction loyal to Julius Abure warns that Peter Obi may not be considered for the party’s 2027 presidential ticket if he continues associating with other political movements.

This warning comes amid an ongoing power struggle within the party that has left it sharply divided.

The battle for control pits the Abure-led faction against another group headed by Senator Nenadi Usman, with Obi aligning himself with the latter. The party’s internal wrangling, once simmering quietly, has now boiled over into public space, sparking debates over loyalty and eligibility within its ranks.

Speaking on Trust TV, Umar Farouk Ibrahim, National Secretary of the Abure group, said the party’s presidential ticket is not automatic for anyone. He insisted that full commitment to the party’s structure is non-negotiable, implying that Obi’s continued interaction with outside platforms could cost him the party’s endorsement in 2027.

Ibrahim further noted that Obi’s former running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, remains eligible to seek the presidential nomination. According to him, both men would be given equal opportunity should they choose to contest, but no special treatment would be offered based on past campaigns.

In the same interview, Ibrahim suggested that Baba-Ahmed may support Obi again if he decides to run, but stressed that party rules would apply equally. He made it clear that flirting with rival platforms while seeking to remain in Labour Party’s good books would not be accepted.

Meanwhile, another controversy erupted as the Usman-led faction dismissed claims of a planned “one-million-man march” aimed at toppling the Tinubu administration. The denial came in response to a petition filed by Abayomi Arabambi, who claimed some party leaders were plotting to use a mass protest to forcibly reclaim the party’s old secretariat in Abuja.

Ken Asogwa, media aide to Senator Usman, described the claims as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and discredit respected party figures like Peter Obi, Joe Ajaero, Victor Umeh, and others. He said there is no protest scheduled and insisted the party has moved on from its former office.

Asogwa also accused unnamed individuals of attempting to frame top Labour Party leaders in a fake coup plot, comparing it to tactics used during Nigeria’s military era to silence opposition voices. He warned that security agencies must avoid being used as tools to suppress political dissent.

He revealed that party officials have been questioned by the Department of State Services (DSS) based on the petition and urged security agencies to investigate the claims thoroughly. According to him, such false alarms could pose a real threat to democratic stability if not handled responsibly.

As the 2027 elections approach, the Labour Party continues to face internal battles that may impact its performance. With loyalty being questioned and allegations flying, the path forward appears uncertain, and the outcome could reshape the party’s political future.