Abia State Governor and leader of the Labour Party (LP), Dr. Alex Otti, has described the exit of the party’s former presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, as highly regrettable, admitting that his departure represents a major loss to the party amid its lingering leadership crisis.
Otti spoke in Abuja during a meeting with members of the party’s Board of Trustees, leaders of the National Caretaker Committee, and representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
The meeting came barely 24 hours after the Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party criticised the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the Nenadi Usman-led National Caretaker Committee, describing the move as hasty, prejudicial, and aimed at sabotaging the party’s leadership.
Addressing the issue of Obi’s defection, Governor Otti said the Labour Party deeply regretted losing its former standard-bearer but wished him well in his future political endeavours.
“We regret the exit of the former leader of the party and former presidential candidate of the party. While we regret his exit, we wish him well,” Otti said.
He added that despite the loss of Obi and the defection of some members, including lawmakers, the party remained resilient.
“We have also lost a few members to defection, including some members of the National Assembly. But despite all that, this party remains strong,” he stated.
Otti disclosed that following the party’s recent court victory, the new leadership had resolved to prioritise reconciliation and rebuild internal cohesion. According to him, a reconciliation committee would be constituted to engage aggrieved members, including the ousted national chairman, Julius Abure.
“We have decided there is a need to set up a reconciliation committee. The interim NWC will advise us on when to set up that committee. The entire idea is to reconcile everyone who is waiting and desires to return,” he said.
The governor, however, warned that reconciliation efforts would only succeed if party rules were strictly adhered to.
“We want to appeal to Julius Abure and his team to sheathe their swords and come back to the party. If they’re able to abide by the rules of the party, we will be happy to see them back,” Otti added.
He also disclosed that the Labour Party would not be participating in the forthcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT) council elections.
On speculations that the party might join an emerging opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general elections, Otti dismissed the idea, insisting that the Labour Party already constituted a coalition of its own.
“Labour is already a coalition. This is the coalition of Nigerian workers and people who are progressive and like-minded. So, we have no plans to join another coalition,” he said.
The governor also commended INEC for complying with the judgment of the Federal High Court by replacing the Abure-led executives with the Nenadi Usman-led National Caretaker Committee on its portal.
“I am happy INEC obeyed the court judgment by uploading the names of the leadership of the national caretaker committee on its portal,” he said.
According to Otti, major issues discussed at the meeting included the organisation of party congresses from the ward to the zonal levels, culminating in a national convention, as well as the revalidation of membership and registration of new members. He disclosed that the congresses are expected to commence in March.
Meanwhile, Peter Obi formally defected to the African Democratic Congress at an event held at the Nike Lake Resort in Enugu State, where he called on Nigerians and opposition forces to unite under a broad national coalition to “rescue Nigeria from poverty, disunity and democratic decline.”
Despite Obi’s exit, Otti maintained that his absence would be deeply felt within the Labour Party but assured supporters that the party would emerge stronger.
In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Abia State Governor, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, the party confirmed that resolutions reached at the Abuja meeting included setting a timetable for congresses at the ward, local government, state, zonal, and national levels, beginning in March 2026.
The statement also confirmed plans to commence the revalidation of membership and the registration of new members, alongside the constitution of a reconciliation committee to engage aggrieved members willing to return to the party.
