Peter Obi Under Fire: ‘He’s Destroying Himself And The Labour Party,’ Say Abure Supporters

Some Labour Party chieftains loyal to the National Chairman, Julius Abure, have accused the 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, of contributing to the ongoing crisis within the party and called for sanctions against him.

This follows Abure’s optimistic remarks after the Court of Appeal reaffirmed his position as National Chairman, expressing hope that the party’s internal issues would be resolved well before the 2027 general elections. Abure also stated his willingness to reconcile with Peter Obi, Abia State Governor Alex Otti, and other aggrieved party members.

However, some of Abure’s allies have warned that Peter Obi could face a significant political defeat in the 2027 presidential election if he continues to destabilize and divide the party.

In an interview with Punch, Blessing Elaigwu, a party chieftain and convener of the Alliance for All Labour Party Professionals and Stakeholders, criticized Obi for the party’s stagnation over the past year. Elaigwu blamed Obi’s alleged poor leadership and the litigation initiated by his caretaker committee for the crisis and advised the party leadership to sever ties with Obi if he pursues further legal battles at the Supreme Court.

Elaigwu recalled an incident in September 2022, where Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti allegedly organized an unauthorized stakeholders’ meeting in Umuahia to replace the Abure-led executive with their preferred candidates, including Senator Nenadi Usman and Senator Darlington Nwokocha. INEC declined to recognize the new leadership, leading to legal disputes that were ultimately dismissed by both the lower court and the Court of Appeal.

“If Peter Obi believes he can destroy the Labour Party before moving to another political party, as speculated, he is ultimately destroying himself,” Elaigwu said. “Abure gave him a platform after he was frustrated out of the PDP. Instead of backstabbing the leadership, a good leader would have built on the momentum of the 2023 election and prepared for 2027.”