The Labour Party’s National Working Committee, led by Julius Abure, has welcomed Peter Obi’s defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), calling it a “liberation” for the party.
The party regrets fielding Obi as its 2023 presidential candidate, stating that his exit formalizes a political separation that occurred months ago amid a leadership crisis.
National Publicity Secretary Obiora Ifoh said the party had repeatedly asked Obi and his loyalists to leave if they couldn’t work with the Abure-led leadership, and disciplinary measures had been taken against several aligned lawmakers.
“The leadership of the Labour Party took note of the defection of its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi and a few of his supporters to the African Democratic Congress.
“We also took note of the lacklustre speech Obi made at the occasion, and wondered what new things he intends to sell to Nigerians. For us in the Labour Party, we wondered why it took them this long to make the move because we have, since September 2024, parted ways with Peter Obi and some of his blind supporters in the National Assembly.
“We have patiently waited for this day. The party is finally liberated by this defection and as Party leaders, we count it as a blessing,” he said
Ifoh also blamed Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti for the internal crisis, accusing them of trying to unseat the current leadership.
The Labour Party had suspended some lawmakers aligned with Obi for anti-party activities, and Ifoh wondered why Obi took so long to defect, saying the party has been waiting for this day.
Meanwhile, Otti, however, has vowed to remain in the Labour Party, saying he joined before Obi and will continue to work towards rescuing the party.
