A private meeting between Julius Abure, the factional National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has sparked unease within the camp of Peter Obi, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate.
The meeting, held behind closed doors at Wike’s Abuja residence on Sunday, has raised suspicions given the ongoing leadership crisis in the party and Obi’s growing association with the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The timing of the visit is particularly sensitive, coming just days after Abure’s faction issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Obi to resign from the Labour Party, citing his alleged involvement in anti-party activities through the ADC.
“The closed-door meeting, which took place at Minister Wike’s residence in Abuja on Sunday, has sparked considerable speculation, particularly given the ongoing internal wrangling within the Labour Party and recent developments concerning Peter Obi’s political alignment with the African Democratic Congress ADC.”
Meanwhile, efforts by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to resolve the internal crisis in the LP have hit a wall, with the warring factions refusing to cooperate.
Sources within the commission revealed that INEC recently convened a reconciliation meeting with representatives from the different factions, urging them to de-escalate tensions.
“During the meeting, INEC officials reportedly urged the factions to ‘sheathe their swords,’ stressing the importance of party unity and adherence to democratic principles.”
INEC advised the party to convene a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and subsequently organize a National Convention to elect a unified leadership in accordance with the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.
However, the various factions have rejected the advice, each insisting on the legitimacy of its own leadership.
The faction led by Julius Abure maintains that it remains the only constitutionally recognized leadership, citing its National Convention held in March 2024 and a follow-up NEC meeting in May 2025.
The faction has rejected any call for another convention.
“The Abure faction… has maintained its stand, asserting that its leadership is legitimate and constitutionally recognized. They have also dismissed calls for a new National Convention, arguing that one has already been held.”
Other factions, backed by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and associates of Peter Obi, continue to dispute the Abure-led executive’s authority.
The NLC, which founded the LP, has been vocal in its opposition, calling for the party to return to its founding principles.
“The NLC… has been vocal about reclaiming the party and ensuring it aligns with its foundational ideology.”
With neither side willing to compromise, political analysts warn that the party risks implosion, especially as the 2027 general elections draw closer and opposition coalitions like the ADC gain momentum.
Wike’s involvement adds a new dimension to the crisis. The FCT Minister, a senior figure in the PDP now serving under the APC-led federal government, has previously criticized Obi.
At the commissioning of the Kugbo Bus and Taxi Terminal in Abuja on June 26, Wike took a swipe at Obi’s public image of modesty, recalling an incident in Anambra State involving luxury champagne:
“The FCT minister had recalled the heyday of the PDP and how he had joined a delegation to Anambra State where their host served them Cristal Brut, some form of expensive champagne.”
Sunday’s meeting with Abure is now being interpreted by many as a possible strategic maneuver aimed at destabilizing the Labour Party ahead of 2027.
“Sources close to Obi’s camp… expressed apprehension over the development as they fear that the meeting could be a calculated attempt to deepen the existing factionalization within the LP and potentially undermine Obi’s political standing and future aspirations.”
The Abure-led faction, for its part, insists it is not involved in any coalition and has denounced any members collaborating with such platforms.
“The Abure-led faction has consistently maintained that it is not part of any coalition and has dismissed members engaging with such coalitions as ‘power mongers.’”
In recent times, the faction has threatened disciplinary action against party members, including Abia State Governor Alex Otti and Peter Obi, for alleged anti-party conduct.
With the Wike-Abure meeting adding to growing mistrust and internal divisions, the road ahead for the Labour Party remains uncertain. Many observers fear that without swift reconciliation, the party’s recent electoral momentum could evaporate before the 2027 elections.
“Sunday’s Wike-Abure closed-door parley has now added another layer of complexity to the already intricate landscape of opposition politics in the country.”
