The Labour Party says it is not bothered by the defection of its Presidential candidate in the 2023 General election to the African Democratic Party describing the move as Liberation for the Labour Party.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the party said Obi’s defection did not come as a surprise, claiming he had effectively disengaged from the party since September 2024.
According to the party, Obi had remained indecisive for several months, allegedly oscillating between the Labour Party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the ADC before finally making his move ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Labour Party leadership accused Obi and Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, of orchestrating internal crises within the party and sponsoring what it described as an “insurrection” against the Julius Abure–led leadership.
The party also criticised the event marking Obi’s defection to the ADC, describing it as poorly attended and lacking support from key political and traditional stakeholders in the South-East.
According to the Labour Party, the low turnout is an indication that Obi has lost political appeal and that any future presidential ambition may be “dead on arrival.”
The party further blamed Obi for what it described as the South-East’s marginalisation under the current administration, alleging that the region’s limited ministerial representation was a consequence of political miscalculations during the 2023 elections.
In a rare admission of guilt, the Labour Party apologised to Nigerians for fielding Obi as its presidential candidate in 2023, describing the decision as a political misjudgment.
“We plead for forgiveness from Nigerians,” the statement said, adding that the party is already repositioning to present a better alternative capable of restoring national confidence.
Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie
