“We Will Not Repeat Past Mistakes”: Peter Obi Unveils Labour Party’s 2027 Vision at NEC Meeting

 

Abuja – April 9, 2025

In a determined and passionate address at the Labour Party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja on Wednesday, former presidential candidate Peter Obi outlined a bold roadmap for the party’s future, pledging to correct the missteps of the past and build a political force grounded in ideology, integrity, and inclusivity ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Obi, who became a national figure during the 2023 presidential race, emphasized the need for systemic change within the Labour Party (LP). He assured stakeholders that the party is undergoing internal reforms aimed at fostering transparency and fairness in candidate selection—a move he described as pivotal for national progress.

“We are committed to doing the right thing this time around,” Obi declared to an attentive audience of party executives, supporters, and members of the press. “From the ward level to local government, to state, zonal, and national levels, everyone must have equal access and opportunity to contest.”

Obi’s speech struck a chord of reflection and resolve, as he acknowledged the party’s shortcomings in past elections. He noted that while enthusiasm had surged during the 2023 campaign season, lapses in internal organization and candidate selection diluted the party’s overall performance and message.

“Let’s be clear,” Obi said, “we made mistakes, and we own up to them. But 2027 will be different. We will not be a party of convenience for political jobbers or those who see LP as a vehicle for personal ambition. This is about Nigeria’s future.”

Calling for a cultural shift within the Labour Party, Obi stressed the need to establish ideological discipline and a consistent internal value system. According to him, only members who are genuinely aligned with the Labour Party’s vision will be allowed to fly its flag in future elections.

“We will ensure that those who emerge as candidates are not just ‘passing through,’” he stated. “This is not a party where you get elected and then turn your back on the people and the principles. We must have senators, representatives, governors, and local leaders who believe in us—and in Nigeria.”

Obi reiterated the Labour Party’s commitment to presenting credible and competent candidates for all electoral levels, from state assemblies to the presidency. He made it clear that the party would rather lose elections with integrity than win through compromise or by fielding unqualified individuals.

“It’s better to fail doing what’s right than to win by compromising our ideals,” he said firmly. “We want the Nigerian people to look at our candidates and see a standard of excellence, not political opportunism.”

The NEC meeting marks a significant turning point for the Labour Party, which has grown from a fringe political group to a potent national movement largely galvanized by Obi’s 2023 campaign. His latest remarks suggest a more organized and deliberate approach to the next electoral cycle, as LP positions itself as a viable alternative to the dominant political forces in the country.

As internal reforms begin to take shape, party leaders at the NEC expressed support for Obi’s vision, pledging to work toward strengthening grassroots participation and implementing more rigorous candidate vetting processes.

Whether the Labour Party can transform its populist momentum into a durable political institution remains to be seen. However, one thing is clear—Peter Obi is not backing down from the challenge, and he is betting on a new kind of politics to take center stage in 2027.