UPDATED: Forgive us for fielding Obi in 2023, Labour Party begs Nigerians

The Labour Party (LP) has formally reacted to the defection of its 2023 presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing the development as a relief for the party and apologising to Nigerians for presenting him as its flagbearer in the last general election.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Obiora Ifoh, the party said it had long parted ways with Obi and some of his supporters, insisting that the defection merely confirmed an irreconcilable breakdown in their relationship.

According to the party, it had been aware since September 2024 that Obi and some members of the National Assembly were no longer aligned with the party’s leadership, led by Barrister Julius Abure.

ALSO READ: 2027: Obi calls for national unity, electoral reforms, backs ADC-led coalition

“For us in the Labour Party, we wondered why it took them this long to make the move,” the statement said, adding that the party now considers itself “liberated” by Obi’s exit.

The party claimed it had repeatedly urged Obi and his loyalists to leave if they could not work with the party leadership, noting that several lawmakers were suspended for anti-party activities and that similar action would have been taken against the former presidential candidate but for interventions by concerned Nigerians.

The Labour Party also blamed its internal crisis on Obi and Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, accusing them of sponsoring what it described as an insurrection against the party leadership.

It expressed surprise that Governor Otti, despite being suspended, had not followed Obi out of the party.

Commenting on Obi’s formal reception by the ADC in Enugu, the party said the event was poorly attended and largely boycotted by key political and traditional stakeholders in the South-East, which it described as an indication of declining political influence.

The party further argued that the South-East suffered politically after backing Obi in the 2023 election, citing what it described as inadequate ministerial appointments and continued marginalisation in infrastructure allocation under the current administration.

“The South-East lost out completely in President Bola Tinubu’s government because they trusted and believed in him in 2023,” the statement claimed.

In a striking admission, the Labour Party apologised to Nigerians for fielding Obi as its presidential candidate in 2023, describing the decision as a major political error.

“We gave Nigerians a candidate we thought was good for the nation in 2023, but time has since proved that we made the greatest political mistake. We plead for forgiveness from Nigerians,” the party said.

The party assured Nigerians that it is already working on identifying new political prospects ahead of future elections, expressing optimism that it would rebound stronger.