Labour Party apologises for fielding Obi as presidential candidate in 2023

The Labour Party has reacted to Peter Obi’s defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), stating that fielding the former Anambra governor was the party’s greatest mistake.

Apologising to Nigerians for fielding Obi, the party, in a statement on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, said it is working on a new candidate to lead the party in future elections.

The statement read partly, “We gave Nigerians a candidate we thought was good for the nation in 2023, but time has since proved that we made the greatest political mistake. We plead for forgiveness from Nigerians.”

The party said it has finally been “liberated” from Obi’s leadership.

Ifoh added that Labour Party had parted ways with Obi and his supporters since September 2024, and had been waiting for his exit.

“The party is finally liberated by this defection and as Party leaders, we count it as a blessing. It will be on record that the leadership of the Labour Party had since urged Obi and his disgruntled followers to exit the party if they were unable to work with the leadership of the party.”

Ifoh also criticised Obi’s speech at the ADC event, describing it as “lacklustre” and questioning his appeal to Nigerians.

“We also took note of the lacklustre speech Mr. Obi made at the occasion, and wondered what’s new that he intends to sell to Nigerians,” he said.

The Labour Party claimed that Obi’s defection was not unexpected, citing internal conflicts and his alleged role in sponsoring an insurrection against the party leadership.

The party had previously suspended several lawmakers loyal to Obi and had planned to suspend him as well before some Nigerians intervened.

The statement also distanced the Labour Party from Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, who was accused of supporting Obi’s insurrection, and urged him to follow Obi out of the party.

The party dismissed the ADC event as a “charade” with little support from prominent figures in the South-East.