The Labour Party (LP) is facing renewed internal strife as both factions led by Lamidi Apapa and Julius Abure have issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Gregory Obi, demanding that he resign his membership of the party following his involvement in a new opposition coalition adopted under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
This political storm erupted after Peter Obi announced, via his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Thursday morning, that a broad-based opposition coalition had been formally launched with the ADC as the adopted party platform for the 2027 general elections. He revealed that Senator David Mark would serve as National Chairman and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary of the coalition.
“Our commitment is to sacrifice and work together towards the 2027 General Elections, ensuring that Nigeria gets a competent, capable, and compassionate leadership that prioritises the future and welfare of Nigerians,” Obi wrote.
The statement further read:
“This decision was not made lightly. It comes from deep reflection on where we are as a country and what must be done to move forward. No one group can change Nigeria alone.”
However, this move has sparked outrage from both Labour Party factions, who in separate statements accused Obi of “dual loyalty” and warned him to resign or face expulsion.
"Desperate Politicians Can’t Birth a New Nigeria" — Apapa Faction
Dr. Abayomi Arabambi, National Publicity Secretary of the Apapa-led faction, described the coalition as “a scam and Yahoo Yahoo plus,” alleging that Obi’s participation betrays the party’s cause.
“This coalition is a convergence of political hawks and desperadoes who are seeking to grab power at all costs, without any meaningful economic solutions to Nigeria’s challenges,” Arabambi said.
He accused Obi of lobbying LP members in secret meetings to defect, claiming many have resisted the move.
“Labour Party is not a place for people with deceptive persona or dual agendas. People who are in LP in the morning and in another party by evening cannot be trusted with the future of this country.”
Arabambi concluded with a warning:
“Peter Gregory Obi is hereby handed a 48-hour ultimatum to formally resign his membership of the Labour Party.”
"The Coalition Is a Gathering of Recycled Politicians" — Abure Faction
Similarly, Obiora Ifoh, spokesperson of the Abure-led faction, echoed the same demand, accusing Obi of aligning with elements of the old political order.
“The coalition is a gathering of recycled, desperate, and frustrated politicians. This is not the new Nigeria the youths are dreaming of,” Ifoh said.
He claimed that Obi's continued affiliation with Labour Party while joining another platform undermines the party's integrity and confuses loyal members.
“The Labour Party has consistently said it is not part of the coalition. Any member who identifies with it must resign within 48 hours or face disciplinary action.”
Party Integrity at Risk
Both factions stressed that Labour Party will not tolerate “dual allegiance” and reaffirmed their commitment to a reformed Nigeria built on credible leadership, distinct party values, and loyalty.
The ultimatum highlights the growing tension between Peter Obi’s vision of cross-party collaboration and the internal politics of the Labour Party, which remains divided after the 2023 general elections.
As of press time, Peter Obi has not responded directly to the ultimatum, but his coalition remarks suggest he is forging ahead with the broader political movement.
