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.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced the temporary closure of its National Secretariat in Abuja to honour the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away on Sunday.

According to a directive issued by APC’s Acting National Chairman, Bukar Dalori, the secretariat will remain closed from Monday, July 14, and is scheduled to reopen on Thursday, July 17, 2025.

“We urge Party faithful to use this period of national mourning for quiet reflection and prayers for the repose of the soul of our departed leader,” the APC said in a notice.

Buhari, aged 82, died while receiving medical treatment at a private facility in London. The specific nature of his illness has not been disclosed.

His death was confirmed in a statement issued by his former spokesperson, Garba Shehu, on Sunday evening.

“The family of the former president has announced the passing on of Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, this afternoon in a clinic in London,” Shehu wrote.

Meanwhile, arrangements for Buhari’s burial are already underway. The Katsina State Government has announced that his body will arrive in the state by 12 noon on Tuesday, July 15.

He will be laid to rest in his hometown of Daura the same day.

Governor Dikko Radda confirmed the burial plans on Monday, following the official announcement of the former president’s passing.

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has criticized the leadership of the National Assembly for suspending legislative activities in honor of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who recently passed away.

Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA’s National Coordinator, expressed disapproval over what he described as an unnecessary interruption of parliamentary responsibilities, particularly in light of numerous national tragedies that had previously failed to attract such official attention.

“The suspension of legislative duties can only come about when an emergency arises. The decision to call off their legislative duties by the National Assembly because of the demise of President Muhammadu Buhari who died at a very ripe age, is uncalled for and demonstrates a lack of respect for the sensitivity of their duties to Nigerians,” Onwubiko stated.

He questioned why the lawmakers did not take similar actions when citizens suffered from violence and natural disasters.

“Why did the National Assembly not suspend sittings when 400 citizens from Benue and Plateau states were killed by terrorists/herders? Why did the National Assembly not suspend sittings when over 200 citizens perished in the floods around Mokwa in Niger state?” he asked.

Onwubiko suggested that if lawmakers genuinely wanted to honor the late president, they could do so in a more meaningful way.

“The National Assembly can do better to honour the memories of Buhari if that’s what they intend to do. They can, for instance, recommend that the life and achievements, or lack of it, of the late President Muhammadu Buhari be studied as part of social studies in secondary schools.”

He further accused the legislators of using the mourning period as an excuse to avoid work, raising concerns about accountability and productivity.

“This suspension is very irrelevant and shows the laziness of the legislators who are looking for excuses to stay away from work. So what will the legislators be doing during this week-long ‘Buhari’s holiday’?

“Will the members be wearing black mourning clothes and be going to the prayer grounds to pray for the repose of Muhammadu Buhari, or will they observe a week-long fast? What exactly would they be doing for a week for which taxpayers’ money would be paid to do for failing to legislate within the timeframe they set for themselves, or will they cut off their end-of-year vacation by one week to make up for this one week holiday?”

HURIWA’s reaction comes amid a wider national conversation on the appropriateness and priorities of public institutions in moments of mourning and national transition.

Senator Tunde Ogbeha, a prominent figure in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State, has officially left the party and pitched his tent with the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

In a resignation letter addressed to the Chairman of PDP Ward A, Lokoja Local Government Area, the former senator cited ongoing internal crises and leadership issues within the PDP as key reasons for his decision to part ways with the party.

“I write to formally inform you of my decision to resign my membership of the party with immediate effect. You may recall that over the years, I have remained firm and deeply committed to the ideals of the PDP,” Ogbeha stated in the letter.

“Even when nearly all stakeholders departed the party following our loss in the 2015 presidential election, I pledged to remain the last man standing.”

Senator Ogbeha, who has played a visible role in the PDP’s activities over the years, lamented the current state of affairs within the party.

He expressed disappointment that his dedication to rebuilding and stabilizing the PDP appears to have been undermined by persistent internal discord.

“I have worked steadfastly to rebuild, reconcile, and reposition the party, efforts which, without sounding immodest, helped restore the PDP to national relevance and made it once again a party of choice for many Nigerians,” he said.

“However, recent events marked by deepening divisions, persistent leadership crisis, and irreconcilable differences have reduced the party to a shadow of its former self, subjecting it to public ridicule.”

Following his departure from the PDP, Senator Ogbeha announced he would be joining the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

He described this move as a step toward contributing to national redemption through a new political platform.

“After wide consultations with my family, friends, and political associates, I have resolved to join the African Democratic Congress, ADC, as part of the collective effort to rescue our nation and preserve our hard-earned democracy,” he declared.

The Lagos chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Action Peoples Party (APP) have expressed strong dissatisfaction with the results of Saturday’s local government elections, rejecting the announced outcomes and alleging widespread irregularities.

According to the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) secured all 57 chairmanship positions and won 375 out of the 376 councillorship seats.

However, representatives of both the PDP and APP claim the results do not reflect the actual will of the voters.

Speaking on behalf of the PDP, the party’s Deputy Chairman for Lagos West, Sunday Olaifa, condemned the outcome, accusing the APC of manipulating the electoral process to its advantage.

“The PDP in Lagos State rejects in totality the outcome of July 12 council elections in the state. It is nothing but a mockery of democracy going by the manipulations and scenes of inducement of voters that we saw,” Mr Olaifa said.

“For a party that has been in power for over 20 years under various names to depend on rigging before winning a local government election, shows the party is already rejected. APC didn’t win that election.”

“The election didn’t hold in many polling units and results were written. For instance, at Ajao Estate of Isolo LCDAs, out of 36 polling units, till the close of the election, LASIEC officers were not in about 22 polling units. This happened in a few other areas.”

He also noted that the build-up to the election was marred by irregularities, including the disqualification of several opposition candidates.

He emphasized that the process fell far short of established democratic principles and predicted that Lagos residents would reject the APC in the 2027 general elections based on their discontent with the council polls.

Similarly, APP State Chairman Abiola Adeyemi criticized LASIEC for what she described as deliberate disenfranchisement of duly nominated candidates and other serious lapses.

“This election is not free, fair and credible by any standard. It is the worst election ever conducted in Lagos State,” she declared.

“Many candidates were not screened and their candidacy not validated by LASIEC for different flimsy reasons even after those candidates were duly nominated by their political parties.”

“How can an election where many candidates were disqualified by the umpire for no just cause and party logo missing on the ballot be regarded as credible.”

“We complained but the commission turned deaf ears to appeals to accept our candidates. Our logo, APP logo, was not even on the ballot paper in Badagry. LASIEC officers even came late to many polling units.”

She further lamented that the exercise had disappointed many political stakeholders who had hoped for improvements in the electoral process.

In response to the concerns, LASIEC Chairman Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile (retd.) acknowledged on Sunday that there were logistical challenges that caused the late arrival of officials and materials in some areas. She noted, however, that efforts were made to promptly address the issues where they arose.