Politics

Obi: Concerns as factional LP Chair, Abure, Visits Wike

Published

3 weeks ago

July 14, 2025

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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)

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Politics

Ekiti 2026: APC Sets N40m For Nomination, Offers Discounts For Youths, Women

Published

13 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

The All Progressives Congress has released a revised schedule of activities and timetable for the 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State.

The party also sets nomination and expression of interest forms at a combined N50 million, offered significant concessions, including exemptions for female aspirants and persons with disabilities, and a 50% discount on nomination fees for youths aged 25 to 40.

According to the timetable issued on Tuesday by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Muhammad Argungu, the schedule outlines a series of pre-election activities beginning with the release of the notice to the Ekiti State chapter on Friday, July 26, 2025.

The party said the sale of nomination and expression of interest forms is set to commence on Monday, August 26, 2025.

It stated that the update of the party’s membership register for those eligible to participate in the primaries will take place from Monday, July 29, to Friday, August 9, 2025.

The ruling party said the expression of interest and nomination forms will be available for purchase from Monday, August 26, and will close on Friday, August 30, 2025.

The party said the last day for submission of completed forms, including the accompanying documents, is Thursday, September 11, 2025.

“Screening of aspirants is scheduled for Tuesday, September 23, while the publication of the screening results will be done the following day, Wednesday, September 24. Aspirants who are dissatisfied with the outcome of the screening may submit appeals on Thursday, September 25, 2025.

“The ward congress to elect delegates is scheduled for Saturday, September 27, 2025, while appeals arising from the congress will be entertained on Monday, September 29. The party’s governorship primary election will take place on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, with the appeal process concluding on Thursday, October 2, 2025,” the timetable read.

The party said the cost of the nomination form has been pegged at ₦40 million, while the expression of interest form will cost ₦10 million, bringing the total to ₦50 million.

“Female aspirants and persons with disabilities are exempted from paying for the nomination form and are only required to purchase the expression of interest form. Youths aged 25 to 40 will receive a 50 percent discount on the nomination form,” it added.

The party also announced that the forms would be available for purchase at the Directorate of Organisation at APC’s National Headquarters in Abuja. Meanwhile, the delegate form will cost ₦5,000.

The APC stressed that only financial members of the party whose membership has been active for at least three months before the release of the timetable will be eligible to participate.

The party urged interested members to contact its Directorate of Organisation or reach out via the contact number provided in the document.

Politics

2027: Peter Obi Is Honest, His 4-year Term Promise Is Sacrosanct – PDP Chieftain

Published

18 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dan Ulasi, has thrown his weight behind the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, on his four-year term pledge.

Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, had declared that if elected in 2027, he would spend only four years and would not seek re-election.

His promise has attracted criticism from some quarters, with some politicians expressing skepticism.

In an interview on Arise TV on Tuesday, Ulasi said Obi’s promise should not be doubted, describing him as an honest person.

He said, “I believe Peter Obi’s words are sincere. Unlike the usual crop of politicians in Nigeria, he is honest. The constitution guarantees only a 4-year term, which can be renewed by the people.

“Obi has not said anything out of the ordinary; he believes he can accomplish a great deal in those four years.”

Politics

2027: Four Years Enough To Make Impact – Peter Obi Insists

Published

19 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, has reiterated his commitment to serving only one term if elected president.

Obi stated that four years is sufficient to turn Nigeria around if leadership is driven by genuine service and not personal ambition.

The former Anambra State governor made the statement via his official X handle on Tuesday.

Obi said he finds it baffling that his one-term pledge is generating widespread debate, stressing that a sincere leader can achieve significant progress within a single four-year term.

He added that his motivation is rooted in a desire to see Nigeria work, not personal ambition.

The former Anambra State governor also challenged anyone to investigate his past political campaigns, maintaining that he has never been involved in electoral malpractice, thuggery, or ballot box snatching.

He said: “I still find it baffling that my decision to do a term of four years, if given the mandate to rule this country, is generating so much agitation. By this feeling, we are doubting the fact that a sincere leader can achieve much in 48 months.

“I have never been desperate in the pursuit of power, or anything else, for that matter. There are some traits associated with desperation, which in no way are in any of my political behaviours in the past and now, like engaging in overly aggressive rhetoric or actions to prove a point or gain attention; becoming overly defensive or reactive to criticism, often to the point of appearing paranoid.

“Making unrealistic or unfulfillable promises to win support or approval, resorting to personal attacks or character assassination to discredit opponents, or frequently changing positions or policies to suit immediate political needs.

“Throughout my political journey, I have never been involved in thuggery, the snatching of ballot boxes, or any form of electoral malpractice. I challenge anyone: conduct your investigations. You will find no stains of rigging or violence associated with my name. I have always chosen the path of peace, principle, and civility.

“In four years, we can confront corruption head-on, redirecting resources to priority areas. For instance, the trillions used to acquire new presidential jets and other unnecessary expenses at this time could have been channelled into education, healthcare, or infrastructure.

“Within the same period, we ensure that the rule is sacrosanct and the rule of law is strictly followed. Within the same period, we can conduct free, fair, and credible elections.”