By Our Reporter
Ahead of the 2027 general election the Labour Party (LP) Presidential candidate in 2023, Peter Obi and his “Obedient Movement” have given a notice of a possible exit from the party
Recall that the Labour Party has been engulfed in leadership crisis since it’s controversial National Convention in Anambra state, that returned the embattled Julius Abure as it’s. National Chairman
Abure’s emergence was however rejected by the national leader of LP Peter Obi, the governor of Abia state, Alex Otti, as well as the LP sister group the Nigeria’ Labour Congress (NLC)
The LP chairman and his NWC members were rejected by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which ceased further recognition of the NWC, alleging that it’s election was not properly conducted in line with the party’s constitution
INEC later changed it’s position on the Abure led NWC, following a court ruling that recognized AWKA, Anambra state convention where the NWC was elected
Obi and the Abia state governor in rejection of the Abure-led NWC convinced an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) and stakeholders meeting of the Labour Party in Umuahia Abia state capital, where it set up caretaker committee for the party headed by senator Nenadi Usman as chairman
Recall that the crisis in the Labour had resulted in the alliance between governor Otti and the leadership of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) where he directed all his preferred candidates to context the recently conducted Abia state local government area election on the platform
With Governor Otti’s influence, ZLP won 15 out of the 17 loca government areas in the result that was declared by the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC), while the Young Progressives Party (YPP) won two, leaving the Labour Party (LP) with non both at the chairmannship and ward councilorship levels
Indicating the possible dumping of the LP ahead of the 2027 election, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, says the movement will pursue new avenues to serve Nigerians if the Labour Party, LP, resists good governance and accountability.
Tanko made this statement in an interview with Arise News on Tuesday in Abuja, stressing that the movement is bigger than the Labour Party.
He highlighted the group’s ambitions amidst perceived challenges within the Labour Party, stressing that the movement was ready to mobilise and expand its reach, especially after the setbacks of the 2023 general elections.
While reflecting on the Labour Party’s shortcomings in the last election, Tanko said it was clear that there were challenges within the party.
He explained that 1,760 polling units were not covered by the Labour Party, and the Obedient Movement now aims to remedy this by creating a solid foundation across all units.
“The Obedient Movement is bigger than the Labour Party. We have them everywhere, academicians, traders, some members of other political parties.
“When it becomes inevitable that the Labour Party is not ready to assimilate the idea of good governance; we will have to look for another opportunity.
“During the 2023 general elections, we were accused, rightly so, that we do not have structures in all of the polling units.
“We are getting prepared and we are ready to face the challenges,” he said.
Tanko addressed how the Obidient Movement was expanding beyond Peter Obi’s initial influence, noting significant support across Nigeria, including in the northern regions.
Reacting to disappointment among Nigerians over the conduct of Labour Party lawmakers elected with Obi’s influence, Tanko stressed the need for structure within the movement to address public dissatisfaction.
