The Acting National Chairman of Labour Party (LP), Nenadi Usman, says the party approved the move by its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to join an opposition coalition led by David Mark.
In a statement on Thursday, Usman slammed the Julius Abure-led group within the Labour Party as “political jesters with no legitimate standing in Labour Party”.
Usman, through her aide Ken Asogwa, stressed that Abure and those behind the 48-hour ultimatum issued to Obi to resign are “neither recognised by the party nor by the law, having long been sacked by the Supreme Court of Nigeria – the highest court in the land – and suspended from the party for their serial acts of indiscipline and anti-party activities”.
She explained that the party had given its blessings to Obi to participate in the coalition talks.
The acting LP chair said, “For the avoidance of doubt, the leadership of the Labour Party, on May 26, 2025, publicly declared its full support for Mr. Obi’s involvement in the coalition efforts aimed at creating a robust political alternative to rescue Nigeria from the disastrous misrule of the APC. That position has not changed.
“We wish to reaffirm that Mr. Peter Obi’s participation in the coalition activities, including the ADC unveiling, was done with the full knowledge, approval, and support of the Labour Party leadership.
“It is the remnants of the disorder and mess left behind by these impostors that the current leadership under Senator Nenadi Usman continues to clean. Therefore, members of the public, and especially the media, are urged to disregard the distractions and mischief from these discredited elements.”
Leaders and members of the opposition coalition had on Wednesday met in Abuja and announced the African Democratic Party (ADC) as the platform for the 2027 election.
They selected former Senate President David Mark and ex-Osun governor Rauf Aregbesola as interim National Chairman and Secretary, respectively.
Aside from Obi, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai, former Rivers governor Rotimi Amaechi, and many others were present at the meeting. Others include Dino Melaye, Solomon Dalong, Dele Momodu, Gabriel Suswam, Ireti Kingibe, Emeka Ihedioha, and Sadique Abubakar.
