If there’s one politician under intense pressure right now, it has to be Peter Obi. The former presidential candidate of the Labour Party at the last 2023 presidential election is at crossroads at the moment as he needs to make perhaps the biggest move of his political career.
And all eyes are on him to see what move he will make. Understandably, Obi is taking his time. He knows he needs to get his next move right, otherwise, all the hard work he’s put into realising his 2027 presidential ambition will all go down the drain..…CONTINUE READING
According to City People findings, the dilemma Peter Obi is faced with is not as simple as many may think it is following recent developments in ADC where Obi was looking to join a Coalition and close ranks with other political heavyweights such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Rivers Governor and immediate past Minister for Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi as well as Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, former Kaduna State governor, Obi’s aspirations now appear to be heading for the rocks.
His prospects within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) are looking increasingly uncertain.
First, it began with what looked like a deliberate manoeuvre to sideline Obi as news emanating from the ADC suggests that Atiku may be seriously considering Rotimi Amaechi as running mate. And this development may have totally changed the complexion of the situation for Obi whom many expected would be the bride of the coalition.
Many would recall that, only a couple of weeks ago, Peter Obi had indicated his willingness to do just a term if given the ADC presidential ticket and he goes on to win the election. And he also looked, at some point, ready to be running mate to Atiku if Atiku too is willing to do just a term and hand over power to him. All of these options Obi was ready and willing to give considerations to if and when negotiations get to that point.
However, circumstances appear to have shifted dramatically for Obi, who may be faced with the difficult decision of leaving the Coalition formed for the 2027 election due to these unfavourable internal dynamics that indicate a possible preference for another candidate within the party.
The recent resignation of Atiku Abubakar from the People’s Democratic Party has added another layer of complexity to the situation, exacerbating tensions within Obi’s camp. Atiku’s move suggests a strategic shift as he seeks to secure the ADC’s presidential ticket for himself, leaving Peter Obi contemplating his future within the party.
Information from our sources indicate that Obi is already preparing to exit the Coalition, particularly as Atiku’s ambitions now clearly seems to sideline him. With the political landscape rapidly evolving, it’s anticipated that Obi might have to consider contesting under a different party banner. But the big question is, which party will Obi run to to realise his presidential ambition if the door is eventually shut against him in ADC?
For Obi, it could have been easily said that he has the Labour Party to fall back on if things go awry for him in ADC, having been their presidential candidate at the 2023 presidential election and one who did impressively well too. But the circumstances are slightly different now. A lot has happened within the Labour Party between then and now. And Peter Obi’s handling of some of the issues that have bedeviled the party have been far from impressive either. This is why today, the Labour Party has been broken into 2 major factions, one led by Julius Abure and the other headed by its acting Chairman, Nenadi Usman.
Just last Friday, the Gov. Otti faction of the Labour Party convened a meeting in Abuja which had him in attendance and other members of the party’s National Working Committee. They called for reconciliation and a return of all the factions that left the party. They expressed the desire and willingness to work with all aggrieved members but warned that the party would not be open to be part of any Coalition in whatever shape or form. Interestingly, only a few weeks ago, Nenadi Usman the Chairman of the NWC had assured Peter Obi that the party would back his move to work with the ADC coalition to enable him realise his presidential ambition. This new position of the Labour Party can only suggest one thing – that Peter Obi’s romance with the Atiku led coalition is no longer acceptable at the party!
The other faction in Labour Party has taken on Gov. Otti & Co. for holding what it calls an illegal NEC meeting. Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim, who is the National Secretary of the Abure faction of Labour Party described the other faction as Labour Party’s illegal NEC.
“The attention of the leadership of the Labour Party has been drawn to yet another illegal gathering of some suspended members of the party parading themselves as members of the party’s National Executive Committee. Ordinarily, we didn’t think we should make any comment as regards to this perennial jamboree since the meeting and its outcome is inconsequential, null and void”.
“The Labour Party Constitution is clear as to who is authorized to convene a NEC. Article 14(4)(b) of the party’s constitution empowers the National Secretary in consultation with the National Chairman to convene a NEC or any other national meeting. Also, Article 13(B)(xii) of the party’s constitution mandates only the NEC to have powers to establish adhoc and standing committee of the party and appoint members of such committees”.
“By the above provisions, every meeting convened by the suspended Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, and the Caretaker Committee being the product of the illegal Umuahia meeting is unconstitutional and of no effect. It is important to note, that there has never been any vacancy in the leadership of the Labour Party and there will not be any until 2028”.
“It is important to draw the attention of Nigerians on the Supreme Court judgement delivered on the 4th of April, 2025 which is very clear and unambiguous in affirming the Barrister Julius Abure led executive. The apex court also ruled that all disputes in any political party should be resolved internally hence it reconfirms the supremacy of the party”.
“Dr. Otti and his co-travellers must know by now that the train of the party has moved on and the party is focused ahead of the 2027 general election with or without them”.
“Governor Otti is probably not aware that his flanks have been exposed as majority of his combatants and leaders have deserted him and moved on. He is probably living in ignorance and in the past. As we have advised him earlier, the Coalition needs him more and we think he should take our advice seriously”.
“We therefore denounce today’s meeting and call on the members of the party to ignore the outcome of the meeting. We also urge the governor to channel the Abia State resources to providing basic infrastructure for the good people of the state rather than wasting resources chasing shadows”.
Indeed, to prove to Peter Obi that Labour Party can move on without him, the Abure faction of the Labour Party has revealed that it has thrown open its presidential ticket.
Publicity Secretary of the LP faction, Obiora Ifoh, said this in a statement in Abuja last Monday.
He said, “We have consistently said that Labour Party will not go into any coalition or merger of any sort ahead of 2027 general election. “Therefore, Obi’s continued assosciation with the Coalition is not only distasteful but also unacceptable to the party.
“It is also an affront to the party leadership, and we view his position as a total disregard to the party’s right to make decisions about its affairs.
“While we are not opposed to anybody running under the platform of the Labour Party in the 2027 general election, we need to make it categorically clear that the party has a longstanding rule on how its candidates shall emerge, and automatic ticket is not one of the routes”.
“Recall that at the party’s National Convention in 2024, the party had erroneously granted automatic tickets to our former presidential candidate and the only governor of the party, however, that decision has since been rescinded and reversed after consulting the statute books.
“His Excellency, Peter Obi, hours after he spoke of his intention to run under the Labour Party, was on Sunday, the day after, seen in a meeting of a pro-coalition group in Abuja without the permission and consent of the Labour Party leadership. “This to us, is really confusing, and we think that Peter Obi has not come to terms with his intentions for the 2027 presidential race”.
“We are therefore by this statement letting Nigerians know that the presidency for 2027 is open to anyone who wants to run under the platform of the party.”
Meanwhile, recent developments indicate that the PDP are desirous of having Peter Obi back in their fold. This was disclosed over the weekend by the PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi. He said;
“Peter Obi is our product, and we want to get him back. He is a great political capital for any party. His ability to garner over six million votes in such a hostile electoral atmosphere demonstrates the kind of value he brings,” Abdullahi stated.
He criticized the circumstances that forced Obi out of the PDP and suggested that his departure had a significant impact on the party’s performance in the last general elections. Abdullahi also hinted that, had Obi remained within the PDP, the electoral outcome might have been different.
But will Peter Obi jump at the PDP offer knowing full well that the party remains immersed in irreconcilable internal crisis and Nyesom Wike’s grip on PDP has not weakened one bit?
What will Peter Obi do?
What will be his next move? What if he makes the wrong move and his strategies fall flat on his face? Everyone is waiting to see what Obi will settle for, hoping it will be one that will advance his aspirations and not jeopardise it.
–Wale Lawal. 08037209290
Source: CityPeople
