The Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party (LP) has alleged that Peter Obi, the party’s former presidential candidate, is responsible for fueling the ongoing leadership turmoil within the party.
Umar Ibrahim, the national secretary aligned with Abure’s camp, made this accusation in a statement released on Tuesday, countering Obi’s recent assertions that the All Progressives Congress (APC) had infiltrated the Labour Party and instigated internal discord.
In his comments, Ibrahim rejected Obi’s claims as deceptive, asserting that the Labour Party’s crisis was not orchestrated by external forces but stemmed from internal mismanagement driven by Obi himself, alongside Abia State Governor Alex Otti.
“It is therefore pertinent to put on record that the problem with the Labour Party was not created by the ruling party (APC), rather the problem in the Labour Party was created and sustained by Peter Obi and Dr. Alex Otti, the governor of Abia State, who is presently serving suspension for anti-party activities,” Ibrahim stated.
He further demanded that Obi provide any concrete or circumstantial evidence to substantiate the allegation that the Abure-led leadership was colluding with the APC-controlled federal government.
“When good leaders fail, they should own up to their responsibilities. Obi failed to provide leadership for the party. He should own up to his mistakes,” the statement said.
The faction also condemned what it called an effort by Obi and Otti to undermine the Labour Party’s reputation by repeatedly claiming external interference.
“We are therefore calling on Peter Obi and other aggrieved members of the party to understand and digest the fact that Barrister Julius Abure’s leadership has come to stay and nothing can change that,” Ibrahim declared.
He added that it was inconsistent to imply that Abure’s leadership, which purportedly supported Obi’s campaign during the 2023 general elections, would now align with the same ruling party it had previously opposed.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli
