Labour Party Accuses Peter Obi Campaign Spokesperson of Attempting to Hijack Party

In a significant development within the Labour Party, the faction led by Julius Abure has accused Yunusa Tanko, the campaign spokesman for presidential candidate Peter Obi, of conspiring with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to take over the party. This accusation was made public in a statement issued on Friday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh.

The tensions escalated following Tanko’s explanation that Obi’s recent visit to the Labour Party Secretariat was a reconciliatory gesture, contrary to media reports suggesting it was an endorsement of the Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC). Tanko also mentioned Obi’s meeting with the NLC Political Commission, aiming to resolve ongoing conflicts within the party.

However, the Labour Party leadership refuted Tanko’s claims and criticized his conduct. The party accused Tanko of making derogatory remarks about its leadership and questioned his motives, highlighting his past role as the national chairman and presidential candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP). They alleged that Tanko used his position in the NCP to negotiate with the ruling government rather than advancing his party’s agenda.

The statement from the Labour Party further denounced Tanko’s actions, describing them as a blatant attempt to undermine the party’s leadership. They emphasized that Tanko does not have the authority to speak on behalf of Peter Obi and discredited his claims about Obi’s meetings with the NLC.

The Labour Party’s leadership reiterated its commitment to lawful processes and warned Tanko against misusing Peter Obi’s name to legitimize unauthorized actions. They also called on the NLC’s Political Commission to adhere to legal standards and refrain from disrupting party operations.

This internal conflict comes amidst a broader struggle for control within the Labour Party, following a contentious national convention and ongoing disputes with the NLC over party leadership. The party has vowed to address these challenges through appropriate legal and organizational measures.