The governor of Abia State and de facto leader of Nigeria’s Labour Party, Alex Otti, has described the departure of the party’s former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as “highly regrettable”, acknowledging that his exit represents a significant loss as the party grapples with a prolonged leadership crisis.
Speaking in Abuja at a meeting of the party’s board of trustees, members of the national caretaker committee, and representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress, Otti said the Labour Party had lost an important figure but would press ahead with efforts to restore unity and rebuild internal cohesion.
“We regret the exit of the former leader of the party and former presidential candidate of the party,” Otti said. “While we regret his exit, we wish him well.”
The meeting came a day after the Julius Abure-led faction of the party criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for recognising the Nenadi Usman-led national caretaker committee, a move it described as hasty and prejudicial and aimed at undermining the party’s leadership.
Otti acknowledged that Obi’s defection – alongside the loss of other members, including some lawmakers – had weakened the party, but insisted it remained resilient. “We have also lost a few members to defection, including some members of the National Assembly,” he said. “But despite all that, this party remains strong.”
Following a recent court victory that paved the way for the caretaker committee, Otti said the party’s new leadership had resolved to pursue reconciliation rather than deepen divisions. A reconciliation committee, he said, would be constituted to engage aggrieved members, including the ousted national chairman, Julius Abure, provided they were willing to abide by party rules.
“We want to appeal to Julius Abure and his team to sheathe their swords and come back to the party,” Otti said. “If they’re able to abide by the rules of the party, we will be happy to see them back.”
He added that the party’s doors remained open to new members, while confirming that Labour would not participate in the forthcoming Federal Capital Territory council elections.
Otti also dismissed speculation that the Labour Party might join an emerging opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections, arguing that the party already constituted a coalition in its own right.
“Labour is already a coalition,” he said. “This is the coalition of Nigerian workers and people who are progressive and like-minded. We have no plans to join another coalition.”
The governor commended INEC for complying with the judgment of the federal high court by replacing the Abure-led executives with the caretaker committee on its portal, describing the move as a step towards restoring order.
According to Otti, discussions at the meeting focused on rebuilding party structures, including the organisation of congresses from ward to zonal levels, culminating in a national convention. He said the congresses were expected to begin in March 2026, alongside a revalidation of membership and the registration of new members.
Obi, a former Anambra state governor, formally defected to the African Democratic Congress at an event in Enugu, where he called on Nigerians and opposition forces to unite under a broad national coalition to “rescue Nigeria from poverty, disunity and democratic decline”. He accused the current political leadership of state capture, economic mismanagement and the erosion of democratic values.
Despite the defection, Otti said Obi’s absence would be keenly felt within the Labour Party, even as its leadership urged members and supporters to close ranks and prepare for a renewed political push.
In a statement issued after the meeting, the party reiterated its regret over Obi’s exit, confirmed plans for congresses and membership revalidation, and expressed confidence that the Labour Party would “emerge stronger” from its internal crisis.
