Labour Party crisis deepens as Abure Faction gives Peter Obi 48-hour ultimatum to resign

The internal crisis rocking the Labour Party (LP) has taken a dramatic turn, as the Julius Abure-led faction has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Peter Obi, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, demanding his resignation over his alleged role in a newly formed opposition coalition.

In a statement released on Thursday, factional party spokesman Obiora Ifoh accused Obi of betraying the party by aligning himself with a political alliance reportedly spearheaded by former Senate President David Mark.

The emerging coalition, which has chosen the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its official platform, is believed to include several influential former officeholders, including ex-ministers and governors, all uniting to challenge the dominance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.

Ifoh claimed that Obi’s association with the coalition was done in secrecy and represents a betrayal of the Labour Party’s principles. He further stated that the party would not tolerate any of its members fraternizing with rival platforms while still holding onto LP membership.

“We are aware of several nocturnal meetings between Peter Obi and some of our members, lobbying them to join him in his new party. We’re also aware that a number of them have refused to defect with him,” Ifoh alleged.

He declared that Labour Party had already distanced itself from the coalition and issued a stern warning to members allegedly involved in the group to resign from the party within 48 hours or face consequences.

“Labour Party is not available for people with dual agenda, people with deceptive persona. The party will not avail itself to individuals who have one leg in one party and another leg elsewhere,” the statement read.

The faction further described members of the opposition coalition as opportunistic politicians bent on retaining their grip on power under the guise of change.

It would be recalled that on Wednesday, leaders and members of the newly formed opposition coalition met in Abuja, selecting former Senate President David Mark as interim National Chairman and former Osun Governor Rauf Aregbesola as Secretary.

Among those reportedly present at the meeting were Peter Obi, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai, former Rivers governor Rotimi Amaechi, and several others, including Dino Melaye, Solomon Dalong, Dele Momodu, Gabriel Suswam, Ireti Kingibe, Emeka Ihedioha, and Sadique Abubakar.