Otti Insists Labour Party Remains Formidable Without Peter Obi
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has declared that the Labour Party (LP) remains a “formidable force” in Nigerian politics, dismissing fears that the recent exit of its former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, signals the party’s collapse.
Speaking on Saturday night at the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) meeting in Abuja, Otti acknowledged the loss but insisted that the party’s structure is resilient enough to survive the departure of its biggest figure.
Peter Obi, who galvanized a massive youth movement in the 2023 elections, officially defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on December 31, ending months of speculation about his political future.
“We regret the exit of our former leader and presidential candidate. While we regret it, we are working to resolve the problems in the party so that everyone can come together and make the party stronger,” Otti admitted to party stakeholders.
The Governor noted that while the party has lost some lawmakers and interim national committee members to defections, it is “still a very strong force” committed to rebuilding its internal unity.
Addressing the long-running leadership crisis that has fractured the party, Otti extended an olive branch to the faction led by Julius Abure. He announced that a reconciliation committee is being established to engage aggrieved members.
“I call on Julius Abure and his team to sheathe their swords and come back to the party. Once they are willing to abide by the rules, we will be happy to receive them. The idea is to reconcile everyone who is willing and desires to come back,” Otti said.
Otti also clarified the party’s strategic direction ahead of the next election cycle, rejecting rumors that the LP might merge with other opposition groups. He described the Labour Party as “a coalition itself.”
“For now, we have no intention of joining any other coalition. Peter Obi has made a decision to leave the Labour Party to join ADC, and we wish him well,” he stated.
The Governor outlined a roadmap for the party’s renewal, announcing that congresses will commence from the ward level up to the national level beginning in March.
These congresses are expected to culminate in a national convention that will elect substantial leadership.
Otti also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for updating its records to recognize the Nenadi Usman-led National Caretaker Committee as the authentic leadership of the party, a move he described as a major step toward stability.
This follows a Federal High Court ruling in January that validated Usman’s leadership, though the Abure faction has vowed to appeal.
