Labour Party Crisis Deepens as Factions Clash Over Peter Obi’s 2027 Presidential Ambition
By Passman Akpos
The lingering crisis rocking the Labour Party (LP) has taken a dramatic new turn as loyalists of the embattled National Chairman, Julius Abure, and the faction aligned with Abia State Governor Alex Otti, clashed once again — this time over speculations that former presidential candidate Peter Obi may pick the presidential ticket of a proposed African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Sources within the party told reporters that the latest confrontation erupted after reports surfaced suggesting that key political figures within the ADC and other smaller parties were courting Obi to lead a new “third-force coalition.” The development, party insiders said, has further widened the cracks between Abure’s camp and Otti’s loyalists, who differ sharply on Obi’s future political direction.
While the Abure faction insists that Obi remains “the face and soul” of the Labour Party and must not abandon the platform that carried him in the 2023 polls, Otti’s camp is said to be quietly exploring alliances beyond the LP, citing the party’s “unresolved internal divisions” and the need for “a stronger coalition to defeat the ruling APC” in 2027.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Sunday, a member of the Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC), who asked not to be named, accused the Otti faction of “deliberately undermining the party’s unity” by encouraging discussions about alternative platforms.
> “Peter Obi is our leader and he has not said he is leaving the Labour Party. Those pushing this ADC coalition agenda are only trying to weaken our structure and create confusion ahead of 2027,” the source said.
However, aides close to Governor Otti dismissed the accusations as “baseless,” insisting that the Abure leadership has “lost credibility” due to lingering court cases and allegations of financial impropriety.
> “We cannot build a winning movement on a shaky foundation. What matters is giving Nigerians a credible alternative in 2027, and that means exploring all options — including coalition arrangements,” one aide said.
Neither Peter Obi nor his media team has officially commented on the reports linking him to the ADC coalition. However, observers note that Obi’s recent meetings with some opposition figures, including former ADC and SDP leaders, have fueled fresh speculation about his next political move.
Political analysts believe that the outcome of these internal battles could determine whether the Labour Party remains a major opposition force or splinters ahead of the next election cycle.
