A meeting between the factional National Chairman of Labour Party, LP, Barrister Julius Abure, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory FCT, Nyesom Wike, has reportedly sent ripples of concern through the camp of the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi.

The closed-door meeting, which took place at Minister Wike’s residence in Abuja on Sunday, has sparked considerable speculation, particularly given the ongoing internal wrangling within the Labour Party and recent developments concerning Peter Obi’s political alignment with the African Democratic Congress ADC.

While the specific agenda of the discussion remains undisclosed, the timing of the visit is noteworthy as it came barely days after the Abure-led faction of the Labour Party issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Obi, urging him to quit the party for his alleged involvement in the anti-Bola Tinubu new political coalition, the ADC.

INEC wades into LP crisis

Efforts by the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC to resolve the protracted leadership crisis plaguing the LP appear to have faltered, as warring factions have reportedly rejected the electoral body’s advice for reconciliation, according to Vanguard.

READ ALSO:Amaechi: I Will Resign As FCT Minister If… Wike

Sources within INEC told Vanguard that the commission recently convened a meeting with representatives from the various splinter groups within the party.

During the meeting, INEC officials reportedly urged the factions to “sheathe their swords,” stressing the importance of party unity and adherence to democratic principles.

The commission advised the LP to organize a National Executive Committee NEC meeting and subsequently a National Convention to elect a unified leadership in line with its constitution and the Electoral Act.

This intervention came amidst heightened tensions within the Labour Party, characterized by conflicting claims of legitimacy, parallel conventions, and legal battles.

READ ALSO:ADC, A Coalition Of Failed Politicians – Wike

The crisis has seen the Julius Abure-led faction consistently at loggerheads with other groups, including those aligned with the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and the Nigeria Labour Congress NLC which founded the party.

However, despite INEC’s counsel, reports indicate that the factions have been unwilling to compromise.

Insiders suggest that each faction remains entrenched in its position, insisting on the validity of its own leadership and rejecting the legitimacy of rival groups.

The Abure faction, which held a National Convention in March 2024 and another NEC meeting in May 2025, has maintained its stand, asserting that its leadership is legitimate and constitutionally recognized. They have also dismissed calls for a new National Convention, arguing that one has already been held.

READ ALSO:Coalition: Abure-led LP Gives Obi 48 Hours To Leave Party

Meanwhile, other factions and concerned stakeholders, including the NLC, have continued to challenge the legitimacy of the Abure-led executive, calling for a comprehensive resolution that reflects the true will of the party’s members.

The NLC, in particular, has been vocal about reclaiming the party and ensuring it aligns with its foundational ideology.

The refusal of the factions to heed INEC’s advice portends further instability for the Labour Party, especially as the 2027 general elections draw closer and with the advent of the coalition-backed ADC.

Political observers fear that without a unified front, the party, which gained significant traction in the last election, risks losing its electoral appeal and relevance.

Wike-Abure’s new parley

Minister Nyesom Wike, a prominent figure in the Peoples Democratic Party PDP and a minister under the ruling All Progressives Congress APC administration, has often thrown jabs at Obi, accusing him of leading a double life.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: Supreme Court Nullifies Judgment Recognising Abure As LP National Chair

While speaking on June 26 at the commissioning of the Kugbo Bus and Taxi Terminal in Abuja, Wike had taken a subtle dig at Obi over the latter’s claim of leading a spartan lifestyle and not given to luxury like his contemporaries.

The FCT minister had recalled the heyday of the PDP and how he had joined a delegation to Anambra State where their host served them Cristal Brut, some form of expensive champagne.

Wike’s Sunday meeting with Abure, therefore, is viewed by some as a potential move to further destabilize the Labour Party, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Sources close to Obi’s camp, who preferred anonymity, expressed apprehension over the development as they fear that the meeting could be a calculated attempt to deepen the existing factionalization within the LP and potentially undermine Obi’s political standing and future aspirations.

READ ALSO:Why LP Zoned 2027 Presidential Ticket To S’East – Abure

The Abure-led faction has consistently maintained that it is not part of any coalition and has dismissed members engaging with such coalitions as “power mongers.”

The LP has been grappling with significant internal conflicts, with different factions challenging the legitimacy of leadership and the party’s overall direction.

The Abure faction has on several occasions threatened to sanction prominent members, including Governor Alex Otti of Abia State and Peter Obi, over alleged anti-party activities.

Sunday’s Wike-Abure closed-door parley has now added another layer of complexity to the already intricate landscape of opposition politics in the country.

While the implications for the LP’s unity and Peter Obi’s political future are yet to fully emerge, the air of apprehension within his camp is however palpable.
(VANGUARD)

The Interim National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, has raised the alarm over alleged plans by the current administration to use the courts to derail the party’s rising momentum.

He issued the warning in Abuja during a visit by the ADC’s National Legal Support Group, led by Abdullahi Abdurrahman.

During the meeting, Abdurrahman disclosed that at least 310 lawyers have volunteered to defend the party in all ongoing and future legal cases across Nigeria.

He said the legal team has representation in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and is fully mobilised to tackle any legal challenges the ADC may face.

READ ALSO:Coalition Illogical, Driven By Personal Ambition – Bode George

The party’s legal team includes prominent legal figures such as the ADC’s Legal Adviser, Barrister Peter Oyewole; former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN); and former Edo State Governor and legal scholar, Professor Oserheimen Osunbor.

“We are prepared to handle any case that may arise against ADC anywhere in the country,” Abdurrahman said.

He added that the lawyers believe in the ability of the current leadership to transform the party and make a meaningful contribution to national development.

Abdurrahman also praised Senator Mark’s integrity and urged him to use his experience and statesmanship to guide the ADC to national prominence. He called on the party’s Legal Adviser to provide necessary documents and updates on legal matters to help the team work effectively.

READ ALSO:Coalition Won’t Be Easy, But We’re Ready – Mark

In response, Barrister Oyewole assured the group that all legal protocols surrounding the recent coalition that birthed the new ADC were properly followed.

“There is no cause for alarm,” he stated.

Senator Mark, however, expressed concern about possible legal threats.

“ADC is the party to beat in 2027. The current administration may attempt to use the courts to frustrate our momentum,” he warned.

READ ALSO:Why ADC Will Collapse In Six Months — Bwala

He urged Nigerians to support the ADC as a credible and patriotic alternative to lead the country forward.

Mark also commended the legal team for their dedication, encouraging them to remain alert and proactive as the party positions itself as a strong contender in the next general elections.

With a growing grassroots presence and a formidable legal structure, the ADC says it is ready to defend its vision and engage in the 2027 political contest.

The Labour Party, LP, chairmanship candidate for Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area, Engr. Seyi Ipinlaye, has raised concerns over alleged plans by certain individuals to incite violence and disrupt the upcoming Lagos State local government elections scheduled for Saturday, July 12, 2025.

In a statement made available to journalists, Ipinlaye warned of attempts to replicate the “ugly menace” of the 2023 general elections, which he described as being marred by threats, ballot box snatching, and voter intimidation.

Ipinlaye called on the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, LAISEC, to ensure a free and fair election, urging law enforcement agencies to be proactive in preventing possible violence and protecting voters in Amuwo-Odofin.

“We are already seeing signs of desperation as Labour Party campaign posters and banners are being torn and defaced. If this continues unchecked, it may lead to voter suppression and possible anarchy,” he said.

READ ALSO:Lagos LG Poll: Police Re-adjust Movement Restriction

Recalling LP’s victories in the 2023 general elections in both state and federal constituencies in Amuwo-Odofin, Ipinlaye expressed confidence in the party’s support base, warning that any attempts to manipulate the outcome could backfire.

He also appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Lagos State government to resist any interference in the electoral process, urging them to promote peace and transparency.

“We want the votes in Amuwo-Odofin to count, just like in Abia State where the governor allowed free and fair LGA elections without interference,” he said.

Ipinlaye concluded by calling on security agencies to remain neutral and act professionally before, during, and after the election to safeguard lives and property.