A faction within the Labour Party (LP) loyal to National Chairman Julius Abure has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to former presidential candidate Peter Obi, demanding his resignation from the party over what it describes as his “romantic alliance” with an emerging opposition coalition led by former Senate President David Mark.
In a sharply worded statement released Thursday, the group’s spokesperson, Obiora Ifoh, accused Obi of undermining the party’s integrity by associating with a coalition powered by the African Democratic Congress (ADC)—a bloc the Abure group claims is composed of political figures who “once mismanaged Nigeria.”
“We are aware of several nocturnal meetings between Peter Obi and some of our members, lobbying them to join him in his new political movement,” Ifoh stated. “Some have declined to defect with him, and rightly so. Labour Party is not a halfway house for politicians with divided loyalties.”
The group insists that Labour Party remains unaffiliated with the newly floated opposition alliance, which includes politicians from various ideological backgrounds. It also alleges that the coalition is a calculated attempt by “opportunistic politicians to re-enter the corridors of power.”
“Any of our members participating in that coalition must resign from the party within 48 hours,” Ifoh warned. “Labour Party is not available to those with a dual agenda or a deceptive persona.”
The Abure faction’s hardline stance appears to deepen internal tensions within the LP, particularly as Peter Obi continues to explore broader political collaborations ahead of the 2027 elections.
While other political parties, such as the PDP and APC, have experienced factional disputes in the past, the Labour Party’s internal fractures appear increasingly public and volatile.
This development marks a significant turning point for the LP, which rose to national prominence under Obi’s candidacy in 2023. It also raises broader questions about unity within opposition forces aiming to challenge Nigeria’s entrenched political establishment.
