The Labour Party (LP) has described the defection of its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a moment of liberation and a fresh start for the party.
The LP said this via a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, on Wednesday, December 31, 2025.
The party said it had long parted ways with Obi and some of his supporters, stressing that his exit finally brings closure to an internal crisis that has lingered since 2024.
“The party is finally liberated by this defection and as Party leaders, we count it as a blessing,” the party stated.
It stated that Obi’s defection was expected, noting that Labour Party had repeatedly advised him and his loyalists to leave if they were unwilling to work with the party’s leadership.
The LP said several lawmakers had already been suspended for anti-party activities and that similar action would have been taken against Obi but for external interventions.
The party accused Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti of instigating the leadership crisis that rocked Labour Party, alleging they sponsored actions aimed at destabilising the Julius Abure-led leadership.
It added that Otti, who has been suspended, should also formally exit the party.
Labour Party further dismissed Obi’s recent political outing in Enugu, claiming it was poorly attended and lacked the support of prominent political and traditional leaders in the South-East.
The party noted that this development signals a decline in Obi’s political influence since the 2023 elections.
The statement also lamented what it described as the political consequences of the South-East’s support for Obi in 2023, pointing to limited ministerial appointments and continued marginalisation of the region in federal infrastructure allocation.
In a rare admission, the party apologised to Nigerians for fielding what it now described as an “unfitting” presidential candidate in the last election.
Labour Party said hindsight has shown that presenting Obi was a major political mistake.
“We plead for forgiveness from Nigerians,” the party said, adding that it is already working towards presenting a more credible and suitable candidate capable of restoring Nigeria’s fortunes.
The party concluded by urging Nigerians to watch out for a renewed Labour Party, promising internal reforms and a stronger focus on offering leadership that can return the country to what it called its “glorious days.”
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