The Labour Party (LP) has stated that its 2023 presidential flagbearer, Peter Obi, appears uncertain about his political direction ahead of the 2027 elections.
In a statement issued on Monday, the party’s National Chairman, Julius Abure, through the National Publicity Secretary, Obiorah Ifoh, clarified that recent reports suggesting the LP celebrated Obi’s declaration to recontest on its platform were misleading and inaccurate.
“The leadership of the Labour Party (LP) has said that its presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, is confused about his intentions ahead of the 2027 polls,” the statement read.
Obi, while addressing young supporters in a video shared on the party’s WhatsApp platform over the weekend, declared: “I will still continue to run in the Labour Party. I’m a member of the Labour Party.”
However, the party insists that the narrative of celebrating Obi’s decision is far from reality.
“The impression conveyed by the news on celebrating Obi’s declaration was erroneous, inaccurate and did not in any way reflect the position and mood in the party,” Ifoh said.
He stressed that while the LP does not oppose any member running in 2027, the process must follow internal rules.
“First, while we are not opposed to anybody running under the platform of the Labour Party in the 2027 general elections, we need to make it categorically clear that the party has a long standing rule on how its candidates shall emerge and automatic ticket is not one of the routes.”
Referring to past decisions, Ifoh added: “Recall that at the party’s National Convention in 2024, the party had erroneously granted automatic tickets to our former presidential candidate and the only governor of the party.
However, that decision has since been rescinded and reversed after consulting the statute books.”
The party also questioned Obi’s simultaneous involvement in a pro-coalition group.
“Second, His Excellency, Peter Obi, hours after he spoke of his intention to run under the Labour Party, was on Sunday seen in a meeting of a pro-coalition group in Abuja without the permission and consent of the Labour Party leadership.”
“This to us is really confusing and we think that Peter Obi has not come to terms with his intentions for the 2027 presidential race,” Ifoh remarked.
He reaffirmed that the Labour Party will not align with any coalition, saying, “Labour Party would not go into any coalition or merger of any sort ahead of 2027 general elections,” and described Obi’s association with such efforts as “distasteful” and “unacceptable.”
“It is also an affront to the party leadership and we view his position as a total disregard to the party’s right to make decision bidding its affairs,” Ifoh continued.
Concluding the statement, he declared, “We are therefore by this statement letting Nigerians know that the presidency for 2027 is open to anyone who wants to run under the platform of the party.”
