By Femi Mustapha, in Kaduna
The Labour Party leadership has responded to comments made by the party’s candidate in the 2023 presidential election, Mr. Peter Gregory Obi.
In an interview on Monday, Obi alleged that the APC-led Federal Government had infiltrated the leadership of the Labour Party, contributing to the party’s internal crisis.
However, when asked for evidence to support his claims, Obi could not provide any substantial proof, only stating that the national chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, had referred to Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti as a dwarf.
In a statement, the party’s National Secretary, Umar Farouk Ibrahim, emphasized that while the Labour Party does not wish to argue with Obi, it is concerned about his tendency to mislead Nigerians regarding the true causes of the party’s crisis, especially when virtually all other political parties face similar issues.
The party urges Obi to reflect on these misleading narratives and reconsider his approach.
The Labour Party clarified that the challenges it is facing were not created by the ruling APC but were instead instigated and perpetuated by Peter Obi and Dr. Alex Otti, the Abia State governor, who is currently under suspension for anti-party activities.
The party challenged Obi to produce any form of evidence indicating that Abure’s leadership is colluding with the APC-led government.
The statement also noted that no one is infallible, and those who err should have the courage to accept their mistakes.
It criticized Obi for failing to provide adequate leadership for the party and called it shameful for him and Otti to continue accusing the government of infiltrating the party, which undermines its image.
The Labour Party recalled that the same government was in power in 2022 when the party had six aspirants, including Professor Pat Utomi, who stepped down for Obi to become the party’s candidate.
Moreover, the government was present when the party campaigned across Nigeria, including in areas prone to insecurity, in support of Obi during the 2022 and 2023 elections.
The leadership of the Labour Party mobilized its members, resulting in over six million votes for Obi during the election. It was the very same leadership that stood by Obi throughout legal proceedings, including at the tribunal and the Supreme Court.
The party highlighted Abure’s frequent appearances in court to defend the party’s interests against attempts by a splinter group to usurp control.
The statement continued, emphasizing that the Labour Party did not experience any issues until Obi and Otti created an illegal and unconstitutional Caretaker Committee in Umuahia, Abia State, which led to divisions within the party.
The party questioned whether it was the ruling government that encouraged Obi and Otti’s actions in Umuahia, and pointed out that the courts, including the Supreme Court, had affirmed the party’s leadership. Obi and Otti, the statement claimed, attempted to hijack control of the party, instigating further division.
Regarding Obi’s response to a comment made by the National Chairman about the governor’s knowledge, the leadership stated that there is often a reaction to every action.
Abure’s response to Otti’s comment, where he referred to the chairman as “masturbating,” was justified, as the governor did not retract or apologize for that disrespectful remark.
If the governor were not lacking in understanding, he would have acknowledged the implications of the Supreme Court judgment, which largely resolved the party’s crisis.
Nonetheless, the leadership of the party remains focused on moving forward since the judgment and is committed to restoring confidence among its members while addressing the ongoing decline in membership seen across various opposition parties in Nigeria.
The party believes it is inappropriate for any member who genuinely cares for the party to engage in such divisive rhetoric.
