On Tuesday, Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, made a surprise visit to the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, accompanied by a large number of his supporters.
This visit comes on the heels of rumors about a potential merger ahead of the 2027 elections.
Clad in a black kaftan and his signature glasses, the former governor of Anambra was warmly received by party members, many of whom donned bespoke LP outfits and chanted “Obi” and “Our Leader” as he entered the complex. Obi met with the party’s national chairman, Julius Abure, and members of the national working committee around 2:00 pm.
This visit follows closely after a private meeting involving Obi, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, sparking speculations about a possible merger for the 2027 elections.
During the gathering, both Abure and Obi dismissed rumors of division within the party. Abure reaffirmed his unwavering support for Obi’s presidential ambitions, emphasizing his consistent attendance at Obi’s rallies during the last election, except for one in Enugu State due to “peculiar events.” He urged party members to put aside personal grievances and focus on the party’s unity and the broader goal of building a visionary Nigeria.
“The conference has already come and gone. We wish to make an appeal to everyone who is still upset with us over the Nnewi convention, asking them to join forces with us in building the party for a new, visionary Nigeria,” Abure stated. “I really think we should put aside our personal interests in order to work toward creating a new Nigeria that benefits everyone.”
Obi echoed these sentiments, urging all factions within the party to reconcile and work together. He emphasized the dire economic situation many Nigerians face, criticizing the tendency of elected officials and politicians to focus on elections rather than governance.
“It’s a shame that elected officials and politicians are always thinking about elections before concentrating on governance to improve the lot of the common people,” Obi remarked. He called on his supporters to cooperate with the party’s new leadership and urged Nigerians to continue praying for the nation’s survival. “Let’s discuss how we will get by until then. As politicians, we are constantly thinking about the next election rather than the welfare of the public. In my opinion, we can discuss the election when they live to see the next one. As we examine Nigeria, let’s make sure it functions. The Labour Party will succeed in Nigeria if it is operating. The Labour Party is also doomed if Nigeria collapses.”
Obi’s visit and the united front displayed by the Labour Party’s leadership aim to quash any lingering doubts about the party’s cohesion and readiness to tackle the challenges facing Nigeria. As talks of mergers and future elections swirl, the emphasis remains on immediate governance and improving the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
