Labour Party Reacts to Peter Obi’s Defection to ADC, Calls 2023 Candidacy ‘Mistake’

Labour Party Reacts to Peter Obi’s Defection to ADC, Calls 2023 Candidacy ‘Mistake’

The Labour Party (LP) has reacted to the defection of its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, along with some of his supporters, to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing the move as a long-awaited development that “liberates” the party.

Obi, the former Anambra State governor, and some of his allies, including serving federal lawmakers, officially joined the ADC on Wednesday during a ceremony held in Enugu State. In response, the Labour Party mocked Obi’s speech, describing it as “lacklustre” and questioning what new vision he intends to offer Nigerians.

According to a statement signed by the national publicity secretary of the Julius Abure faction, Obiora Ifoh, the party said Obi had lost the “charm that had endeared him to the people prior to 2023” and apologized to Nigerians for fielding “an unfitting presidential candidate” in the last election.

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“We have since September 2024 parted ways with Peter Obi and some of his blind supporters in the National Assembly. We have patiently waited for this day,” the statement said, adding that Obi’s defection is considered a blessing for the party.

The statement also blamed Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti for the internal crisis within the Labour Party, accusing them of sponsoring an insurrection against the Julius Abure leadership. The party further claimed that the Enugu event was largely boycotted by prominent political and traditional institutions in the South East.

Labour Party leaders criticized Obi’s past performance, citing the South East’s marginalization in President Ahmed Tinubu’s government, including limited ministerial appointments and infrastructure allocation.

“He must be told that the South East lost out completely in the Tinubu government because they trusted him in 2023,” the statement said.

The party urged Nigerians to remain attentive, promising to present a strong presidential candidate capable of restoring the nation to its “glorious days.”

Labour Party Reacts to Peter Obi’s Defection to ADC, Calls 2023 Candidacy ‘Mistake’