Acting National Chairman of the Labour Party, Senator Nenadi Usman, has strongly criticized the Julius Abure-led faction for issuing a 48-hour ultimatum to Peter Obi over his involvement in a political coalition aimed at unseating President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
The Abure faction had accused Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, of engaging in anti-party activities by aligning with key opposition figures—such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-governors Nasir El-Rufai and Rotimi Amaechi—during the unveiling of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the coalition’s platform in Abuja. They claimed Obi held clandestine meetings to woo party members into defecting and demanded his immediate resignation.
“The Labour Party is not part of this arrangement and disassociates itself from its agenda,” said Obiora Ifoh, spokesperson for the Abure group, insisting Obi had effectively joined another political alliance.
However, in a swift response, Senator Usman dismissed the ultimatum, describing the Abure group as “political impostors” lacking any legal authority within the party. In a statement issued through her aide, Ken Asogwa, she reaffirmed the party’s full support for Obi’s participation in the coalition.
“For clarity, the Labour Party leadership publicly endorsed Mr. Obi’s involvement in the coalition on May 26, 2025, as part of efforts to build a formidable political front capable of rescuing Nigeria from the failures of the APC. That position remains unchanged,” the statement emphasized.
Usman’s camp further alleged that the Abure-led faction had already been removed from office by the Supreme Court and suspended from the party over misconduct and acts of disloyalty.
“It is the residue of the confusion and damage caused by these impostors that the current leadership is working tirelessly to clear. We urge the media and general public to disregard their distractions and mischief,” the statement concluded.
Prominent political figures who attended the coalition’s unveiling include former Senate President David Mark and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who were named interim chairman and secretary of the coalition, respectively. Other notable attendees were Dino Melaye, Dele Momodu, Emeka Ihedioha, Sadique Abubakar, and Senator Ireti Kingibe.
