Former Labour Party chairman says Obi was offered the 2027 presidential ticket, denies allegations of financial misconduct and criticises INEC’s recognition of Nenadi Usman’s faction.
Former National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Julius Abure, has accused the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, of failing to unite the party despite the widespread support it enjoyed after the 2023 general election.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, Abure said the Labour Party demonstrated patriotism by offering Obi its 2027 presidential ticket as early as March 2024, but alleged that the former Anambra State governor failed to build on the party’s momentum.
“In March 2024, we gave Peter Obi the ticket for 2027. Was that not patriotic for the party? A reasonable person would put the house together and use that momentum of 2024 and carry it into 2027?” Abure said.
He also dismissed allegations of financial misconduct against his leadership, insisting that campaign donations were never paid into Labour Party accounts. According to him, Obi requested a separate account for campaign funds, which he said was managed by activists including Aisha Yesufu and Ighodalo.
Abure further criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for recognising the faction led by Senator Nenadi Usman on its official platform, while alleging that her supporters unlawfully took over his office.
The former party chairman maintained that Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti triggered the Labour Party’s leadership crisis by backing the caretaker committee inaugurated in Umuahia, insisting that Senator Usman not himself is the “interloper” in the party.
The Labour Party has remained divided since the 2023 general election, with rival factions led by Abure and Senator Usman laying claim to the party’s national leadership. Earlier court rulings affirmed the recognition of the Usman-led caretaker committee, although Abure has continued to challenge the decisions.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general election, Obi has since emerged as the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), setting the stage for another major contest in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.