Labour Party Caretaker Committee Backs Peter Obi’s Coalition Drive, Dismisses Abure Faction Claims

 

Amid rising political tensions and early maneuvers ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, the Labour Party’s National Caretaker Committee, under the leadership of Senator Nenadi Usman, has broken its silence to affirm full support for Peter Obi’s involvement in opposition coalition talks. This move comes in response to recent claims by a rival faction led by suspended party chairman Julius Abure, alleging that Obi’s participation lacked party endorsement.

In a strongly worded statement released by Ken Asogwa, the Special Adviser on Media to Senator Usman, the committee made clear its position—Peter Obi has the express and unambiguous backing of the recognized Labour Party leadership.

Recent developments saw reports surfacing from the Abure-led group casting aspersions on the former Anambra State Governor's participation in strategic meetings aimed at forging a broad opposition coalition. These efforts are widely understood to be focused on building a united front capable of unseating the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration, which the caretaker committee described as a "rudderless" government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The caretaker committee's statement left no room for ambiguity. It categorically stated that Obi’s coalition activities not only had their blessing but were wholly in sync with the foundational vision and values of the Labour Party. The committee described the coalition as a “patriotic convergence of well-meaning Nigerians,” rallying around a shared mission to rescue the country from deepening socio-economic despair.

Obi’s alignment with the coalition, the statement continued, rests on his dedication to confronting national challenges such as hunger, insecurity, and poor governance—issues that remain central to the Labour Party’s ideological framework. His pursuit of these goals through collaborative political efforts is seen as both necessary and commendable.

Those opposing the former presidential candidate’s participation, the statement suggested, are driven by motives inconsistent with national interest. It questioned the credibility and intent of individuals like Julius Abure, who the committee noted had already been expelled from the party for “anti-party activities.”

"There’s a level of irony in seeing expelled members try to dictate the party's future course while they themselves are no longer part of it," the committee asserted. "It begs the question: Whose interests are they really serving? Certainly not those of the suffering masses of Nigeria.”

Reaffirming Peter Obi’s standing within the Labour Party, the committee emphasized that even if the coalition initiative fails to yield a viable platform, Obi retains the full right to seek the presidency in 2027 on the Labour Party’s ticket. His commitment to national reform, whether through a coalition or under the Labour Party banner, remains unquestioned by the party’s legitimate leadership.

The committee also took a jab at the Abure faction’s recent attempts to lend credibility to a self-organized national convention held in 2024. Citing a Supreme Court ruling that declared the convention unlawful, the caretaker committee dismissed any decisions arising from that gathering as null and void.

“It is laughable that Abure and his associates continue to promote a gathering that has no legal grounding. Their actions amount to contempt of court and should be addressed accordingly by appropriate authorities,” the statement said.

Calling for clarity and cohesion, the caretaker committee urged the public and party faithful to ignore any statements or press releases not emanating from the office of Senator Nenadi Usman. It maintained that only communications from the current National Caretaker Committee should be regarded as official.

At a time when Nigeria’s political landscape is already heating up, this open endorsement of Peter Obi's coalition efforts could mark a turning point. Not only does it assert the caretaker committee’s control over the Labour Party, but it also signals that the party sees Obi as a central figure in whatever realignment may emerge before 2027.

The Labour Party, once viewed as an outsider force in national politics, now appears poised to play a pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s political future—under the guidance of a coalition or otherwise. And Peter Obi, for his part, remains firmly in the frame as both a coalition leader and a potential presidential contender.