“We Endorsed Obi’s Participation in Coalition Talks” – Nenadi Usman-Led Labour Party to Abure

The Nenadi Usman-led caretaker committee of the Labour Party (LP) has declared its full support for Peter Obi’s participation in ongoing coalition talks ahead of the 2027 general elections. Obi, who was the LP presidential candidate in 2023, has been attending meetings aimed at forming a united political front to challenge the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next election cycle.

The endorsement comes in response to criticism from a rival faction of the party led by Julius Abure, which earlier condemned Obi’s involvement in the talks, claiming he acted without the party’s approval. Abure’s group described Obi’s actions as “distasteful and unacceptable.”

In a statement issued by Ken Asogwa, senior special adviser on media to Nenadi Usman, the caretaker leadership reaffirmed that Obi had its express approval to engage in the coalition process. The statement emphasized that the coalition aligns with the LP’s core values and mission to combat hunger, insecurity, and poor governance — goals that Obi has consistently advocated.

“It is baffling that individuals removed for anti-party activities now question a move clearly in the national interest,” the statement read, questioning whether Abure and his allies are truly committed to the party’s objectives. Usman’s camp also made it clear that the coalition represents a patriotic effort to address Nigeria’s current crisis and that Obi is fully within his rights to participate.

Usman reiterated that the Labour Party is open to the Nigerian-led coalition initiative and added that should the alliance fail to produce a unified presidential candidate, Obi remains welcome to run under the LP banner in 2027.

The statement also dismissed Abure’s authority, stating he is no longer a member of the party and holds no legitimate leadership role. The Labour Party has been mired in a prolonged leadership tussle, with Usman, Abure, and Callistus Okafor all laying claim to its national leadership.