No plan to dump Peter Obi as presidential candidate – Labour Party

The Labour Party Directorate on Mobilization and Integration has denied any plan to dump Peter Obi as its Presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 election.

The directorate was reacting to a report which hinted that they had reconciled with the Lamidi Apapa-led faction of the party where they agreed to field another candidate in the 2027 presidential election.

According to the report, the camps of the incumbent National Chairman, Julius Abure, and the Apapa faction laying claim to the mantle of leadership have agreed to sheath their swords and work together.

Spokesman of the Apapa faction, Abayomi Arabambi, also hinted that there is nothing like the Obi-Datti Presidential campaign at the party anymore, saying it has been dissolved and everybody has “reverted to former governorship and presidential candidate”.

But a statement on Sunday signed by the Director General of the Directorate, Marcel Ngogbehei, Deputy Director Media and Communications, Ambassador Aju Elumelu and the Deputy Director, Strategic Engagement, Sheikh Rufai Al-Saddiq said the directorate acknowledged that there are efforts to reconcile aggrieved groups in the party, but no agreement has been reached ahead of the 2027 election with the groups.

Labour Party spokesman Obiora Ifoh in a statement announced the creation of a directorate to see to the affairs of the Obidient Movement and encourage their participation in the Party and the governance in Nigeria.

“The Party has decided to follow a peaceful approach to resolving the internal misunderstanding.

“This effort within the Labour Party and its successes has elicited different reactions; and also, we have seen an attempt by the opposition to make a false spin for their own selfish interest, misinforming the general public with the aim of causing more crisis in our Party.

“For the records, this Directorate was setup to facilitate reconciliation and help mobilize and integrate Labour Party stakeholders toward electoral victory for our Presidential Candidate H.E Peter Obi come 2027.

“The Party Leadership recognised the need for unity and cohesion within the Party as a requirement for internal party stability and improving the winning chances of H.E Peter Obi in the coming 2027 elections.

“We have reached out through various channels to different stakeholders and discussions are still ongoing on various fronts; and we are also making great successes in this endeavour.

“To misconstrue this effort as against our presidential candidate is unfortunate and we can’t help those with this mindset. But to set the records straight, HE Peter Obi remains our Presidential Candidate for 2027 as ratified and all the Party Leadership are behind him and committed to his message of a New Nigeria.”