The Chairperson of the Labour Party (LP) in Lagos State, Dayo Ekong, has publicly expressed concerns about the diminishing political influence of former LP presidential candidate Peter Obi in Nigeria.
In a statement posted on her X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, Ekong urged Obi to take a step back and reconsider his plans to run for president in 2027.
She attributed Obi’s waning popularity to his recent political maneuvers, including his opposition to the Julius Abure-led LP faction and his endorsements of candidates outside the Labour Party.
Ekong wrote: “Peter Obi’s influence appears to be fading as Nigerians grow tired of what many see as inconsistent and self-serving political actions. His once principled stands are now viewed as disruptive, alienating both allies and supporters.”
She pointed to recent election results as proof of Obi’s declining sway, highlighting failures in Edo, Imo, and Anambra States.
Of particular note was the Onitsha North 1 State Constituency by-election in Anambra, which she described as a significant setback.
Before the rerun in Onitsha North 1, Obi abandoned the official LP candidate and endorsed Justina Azuka of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), even campaigning with ADC-branded attire.
Despite his support, the ADC candidate lost, the LP candidate’s performance worsened, and the APGA candidate won, all without Obi’s backing.
Ekong criticized Obi for prioritizing personal alliances over party unity, suggesting that such actions are causing his influence to erode even in his political strongholds.
She also pointed to ongoing tensions between Obi and the LP leadership as a factor limiting his broader appeal.
“A prudent and visionary politician like Peter Obi losing so much ground, especially at home, is a worrying sign,” Ekong commented.
“He has surrounded himself with advisors who may not fully grasp the implications of their strategies. The electorate is observing closely and forming opinions ahead of 2027.”
The Labour Party is currently embroiled in a leadership dispute, split mainly between the Julius Abure faction and the camp aligned with Obi and Peter Otti.
The Supreme Court recently ruled that the leadership issue is an internal party matter, dismissing previous lower court judgments in favor of Abure.
Amid this turmoil, Obi and other opposition leaders have formed the National Opposition Coalition Group, adopting the ADC platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
Obi insists that this coalition does not amount to anti-party activity, emphasizing that the elections have not yet taken place.
