Amidst speculations, the Labour Party in the South-East has reassured that its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, remains committed to the party and will not follow the path of the former Director General of Peter Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Organisation, who recently resigned.
This affirmation comes in the wake of various issues following the Supreme Court’s ruling upholding Bola Tinubu’s election as the President of Nigeria.
The resignation of the former DG (Okupe) had raised doubts about Peter Obi’s continued allegiance to the LP.
Speaking to NewsNow, National Vice Chairman, South-East, of the LP, Innocent Okeke, stated that Obi would remain in the party, highlighting that Okupe’s political approach was incompatible with the LP, leading to his resignation.
Okeke emphasized, “Peter Obi won’t leave the Labour Party where his political branding has hit the rooftop. His association with the Labour Party has significantly boosted his public profile. Doyin (Okupe) had to leave because the Labour Party can never accommodate his style of politics. So, he quickly chose the exit door, and some others like him also followed suit.
“Doyin Okupe said he resigned from the Labour Party, citing ideological differences. We should understand that today, the Labour Party is the only political party in Nigeria with a social democratic ideology.”
Okeke also confirmed that not only would Obi stay with the party, but he would also be considered as the party’s presidential candidate in the 2027 election.
He added, “Despite the distant timeline of 2027, if Peter Obi eventually decides to contest for the top position in Nigeria, he will be given serious consideration.
“At present, Peter Gregory Obi has embraced the ideological ethos of the Labour Party and has played a pivotal role in shaping the party’s identity into what it is today.
“I recently attended a dinner meeting with him where he demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing the Labour Party’s position as the strongest opposition political party in Nigeria today.”
Addressing the potential merger of political parties to challenge the APC in 2027, Okeke disclosed that the party would not be swayed into a coalition, but individuals or groups with neutral affiliations could join.
Okeke remarked, “While some may be strategizing on how to seize power in 2027, the Labour Party will not be coerced into any merger, but our doors are open to anyone or group seeking to align with the Labour Party to achieve their political objectives.”
