As the Labour Party (LP) navigates a critical period of internal strife, its National Chairman, Julius Abure, must urgently seek reconciliation with key figures such as Peter Obi, Governor Alex Otti, lawmakers, and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) leaders to prevent mass defections that could weaken the party’s position ahead of the 2027 elections.

Abure’s recent victory at the Court of Appeal has reaffirmed his leadership, but it has not resolved the deep divisions within the party.

The crisis originated when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) refused to recognize the party’s National Convention held in Nnewi, Anambra State, on March 27, 2024, where Abure was re-elected.

This lack of recognition emboldened stakeholders, including Obi and Otti, to oppose his leadership.

The leadership tussle intensified when an expanded stakeholders’ meeting, convened by Otti in Umuahia on September 4, 2024, removed Abure’s National Working Committee (NWC) and appointed a 29-member caretaker committee led by former Minister of State for Finance, Nenadi Usman.

This move was based on INEC’s assertion that Abure’s tenure had expired in June 2024. Obi and Otti further formalized their opposition in a letter to INEC, citing the de-recognition of Abure’s leadership.

However, Abure fought back legally and secured favorable rulings.

On October 8, 2024, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that INEC must recognize his leadership.

The Appeal Court upheld this stance on January 17, 2025, with Justice Hamma Barka affirming that party leadership issues were beyond judicial jurisdiction but reiterating Abure’s position as National Chairman.

Despite these legal victories, the political reality remains unchanged, Abure’s leadership lacks the support of major party stakeholders, and the divisions within LP persist.

One of Abure’s most contentious decisions was his September 2024 declaration that all LP tickets, including the presidential and gubernatorial ones, would be open to competition in 2027.

This reversed an earlier decision that had reserved automatic tickets for Obi and Otti, recognizing their pivotal role in the party’s 2023 success.

This announcement further alienated key figures.

Akin Osuntokun, Director-General of Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign, criticized the move, arguing that it demonstrated a lack of commitment to reconciliation.

He also noted that Abure’s continued leadership contradicted Nigeria’s political balance, as both the party’s chairman and likely presidential candidate hail from the South.

Amid these internal struggles, suspicions have grown that external forces, particularly within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), are fueling the crisis to weaken LP before the 2027 elections.

Some party members allege that certain high-profile figures within the federal government are funding factions within LP to create instability.

This perception has led to growing calls for Abure to step down.

Chieftains like Nwabueze Onwuneme argue that Abure’s leadership is no longer tenable and that the party must align with the wishes of the majority to prevent further defections.

The consequences of this ongoing leadership dispute are already evident. In Abia State, where Otti’s administration has earned public support, several LP members defected to the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and won local government elections.

If this trend continues, LP risks losing its most influential members and, ultimately, its relevance as a national political force.

To prevent this, Abure must abandon a combative approach and embrace genuine reconciliation.

This includes rebuilding trust with Obi, Otti, and other key stakeholders, as well as making concessions to unite the party.

Without these efforts, LP risks fragmentation, which could lead to its eventual decline before the 2027 elections.

In the end, legal victories mean little if the party cannot function as a cohesive unit.

Abure’s challenge now is not just to retain his title but to ensure that LP remains a viable political platform for Nigerians seeking change.

Primate Elijah Ayodele, the leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has advised Peter Obi, former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, not to contest the 2027 elections unless he is open to forming a coalition with other political forces.

In a statement issued through his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, Primate Ayodele warned Obi that challenging President Bola Tinubu in 2027 without the support of a broad political alliance would be futile.

He emphasized that Tinubu is a formidable force, and no single candidate, including Obi, could defeat him on their own.

Ayodele cautioned Obi against wasting financial resources on a solo campaign, suggesting that it would be both a financial drain and a political setback.

“If Peter Obi thinks he has the ability to rally the masses and defeat Tinubu on his own, he is mistaken. It will be a waste of money and energy, and a recipe for political failure,” he stated.

“It’s either you join a coalition or refrain from contesting. Tinubu is too powerful to be overthrown by one person.”

The clergyman further stressed that Obi’s supporters, particularly those from the South East, may not provide the backing he expects.

He warned that Obi would face disappointment, as even his own people may not be as supportive in the 2027 race.

“If you think you can stand alone and defeat Tinubu, you are deluding yourself,” Primate Ayodele said.

“Even those who you believe are still loyal to you will not support you, so it’s crucial to join forces with others if you wish to succeed.”

An aide to Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Mr. Fred Oghenesivbe, has alleged that Senator Ned Nwoko’s recent departure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was driven by fears that he would not secure the party’s governorship ticket in 2027.

Nwoko, who represents Delta North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, officially resigned from the PDP on Friday, submitting his resignation letter to his Ward 8 Chairman in Aniocha North Local Government Area.

In his letter, dated January 30, 2025, Nwoko explained that his decision stemmed from internal divisions within the party, which he described as irreconcilable.

He stated, “I write to formally resign my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a party I have proudly served as a foundation member since 1999.

“My decision to resign is, first and foremost, due to the deep divisions and factionalisation within the party. This fragmentation has made it increasingly difficult to foster unity and advance the collective interests of our people.

“Just this week, on 29 January, top party functionaries degenerated to the lowest levels, physically fighting one another due to the stated factions, which have become irreconcilable.

“While I bid farewell to my membership in the PDP, I assure all party members and my constituents of my unwavering dedication to statesmanship, unity, and the advancement of Delta North.”

However, reacting to Nwoko’s defection on Sunday in Asaba, Oghenesivbe, who serves as the Director General of the Delta State Orientation and Communication Bureau, dismissed the senator’s claims, attributing his exit to personal political ambitions.

“Senator Ned Nwoko defected because he is scared of not getting the PDP ticket in 2027. We all knew he would leave the party sooner or later. It is about 2027 politics and securing a ticket to run.

“In Delta today, Senator Nwoko has been disconnected from the PDP structure and has not been working with party leaders in the state. As of today, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is the leader of the PDP in the state, and Senator Nwoko has not been engaging well with the governor.

“So, Nwoko is somehow scared that he may not get the PDP ticket in 2027 because he has misrepresented our party at the national level,” Oghenesivbe stated.

Nwoko has yet to respond to the claims, leaving room for further speculation about his next political move.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on Nigerians to reject the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2027 elections, describing the opposition party as a collapsing political platform plagued by internal crises.

Speaking in an interview with journalists on Sunday, APC’s National Publicity Director, Bala Ibrahim, argued that Nigeria was still suffering from the negative impact of PDP’s 16-year rule.

He claimed that the party’s persistent leadership conflicts showed its inability to manage itself, let alone govern the country.

“The PDP is gradually going into extinction. That party is gone. Are these the clowns people expect to rule Nigeria again? Nigerians are still experiencing the consequences of their 16-year misrule. Honestly, we in the APC are just watching and enjoying the entertainment,” Ibrahim said.

He further alleged that PDP’s inability to resolve its internal crisis was a sign that divine intervention had prevented it from returning to power.

“What is happening in the PDP today is proof that God rescued Nigerians by ensuring they were removed from office. If you dig deeper, you will uncover even more problems within the party. They should come and learn politics from our APC Progressive Institute, where we teach governance without bitterness,” he added.

Addressing claims that APC was fueling the PDP’s internal conflicts, Ibrahim dismissed the allegations, insisting that APC had no hand in the opposition party’s troubles.

“How can the APC be responsible for what is happening at Wadata Plaza (PDP’s national headquarters)? We are not even nearby, so how does their problem concern us? What does APC have to do with their leadership battles, their multiple chairmen, or their divided secretariat?” he asked.

He challenged critics to identify any APC members involved in the PDP’s crisis, stating, “Who among those causing confusion in the PDP is a card-carrying member of our party? None. It is entirely their own doing.”

Meanwhile, key PDP leaders from the North East met in Bauchi last Thursday to discuss reconciliation efforts and strategies ahead of the 2027 elections.

However, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was notably absent from the meeting.

The gathering was attended by the three PDP governors from the region; Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, Dr. Agbu Kefas of Taraba, and Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa.

Also present were members of the PDP Reconciliation Committee, led by former National Secretary Olagunsoye Oyinlola, as well as senators, House of Representatives members, and state assembly members from the zone.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to launch an immediate investigation into the alleged mismanagement of N26 billion in the oil sector.

The organization issued a seven-day ultimatum for the government to take action, warning that failure to do so would result in legal proceedings to compel compliance.

In a statement dated February 1, 2025, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP urged Tinubu to direct Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) and anti-corruption agencies to probe the alleged financial irregularities involving the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) and the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

The call for an investigation follows findings from the 2021 annual audited report released by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation on November 13, 2024.

The report revealed that funds were allegedly mismanaged, diverted, or stolen within the oil sector.

SERAP described the allegations as a “grave violation of public trust, Nigeria’s Constitution, and international anti-corruption obligations.”

It called for the immediate prosecution of those responsible and the recovery of all missing public funds for national development.

According to the audit report, some of the questionable expenditures include:

• Over N25 billion paid for contracts without supporting documents.
• N326 million unaccounted for in two bank deposits.
• N107 million spent on a library automation system without approval from the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
• N46 million paid to three companies without proof of service delivery.
• N60 million in stamp duty fees from capital expenditure contracts that were not remitted.
• N64 million spent on store items that were never supplied.
• N41 million paid for services or goods that were not received.
• N137 million used for recurrent expenditures without approval from the National Assembly.
• N232 million paid to seven companies for “stakeholders’ engagement in the Niger Delta” with no details on the nature, location, or justification of the engagement.

The report raised concerns that these funds might have been diverted and recommended full recovery and remittance to the national treasury.

SERAP emphasized that addressing corruption in the oil sector is crucial for Nigeria’s economic stability.

It urged the government to recover the stolen funds and redirect them towards reducing the budget deficit and easing the country’s debt burden.

“Despite Nigeria’s vast oil wealth, citizens continue to suffer due to widespread corruption and the lack of accountability among those entrusted with public resources,” SERAP stated.

The organization also cited constitutional and international obligations, such as the UN Convention against Corruption and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, as reasons why the government must act swiftly.

“Under Section 16(1) of the Nigerian Constitution, your government has a responsibility to ensure the welfare and economic security of all citizens based on principles of justice and equality,” the letter added.

SERAP reaffirmed its readiness to pursue legal action if the government fails to act within the stipulated timeframe, insisting that the nation’s resources must be used for the benefit of all Nigerians, both present and future generations.