The Labour Party has reaffirmed its position as the optimal platform for Peter Obi to contest and potentially win the 2027 presidential election.
This assertion was made by the party’s National Vice Chairman, Ayo Olorunfemi, during an interview on Channels Television’s “Politics Today” on Wednesday.
Peter Obi, who was the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has been under pressure from some members of his Obidient support group to leave the party. This pressure arises from internal crises the party has faced post-election, as they prepare for the upcoming 2027 polls.
Responding to calls for Obi to leave the Labour Party, Olorunfemi strongly dismissed the notion, stating that true supporters, or “Obidients,” would not suggest such a move. He said, “Well, I will just use the word delusional, those ones that are pressing for such, they are delusional. Some people can overreach themselves, the true Obidients out there, they won’t advise Peter Obi to leave the party.”
Olorunfemi emphasized the support base behind Obi, highlighting the various groups that form the backbone of his supporters. “You have the true Obidients, the student unions groups, the youths of Nigeria, the hardworking people of Nigeria, are tired of what is going on in Nigeria, people are tired of hunger, which political party will he go to? To go back to PDP, APC or to where?” he questioned. He stressed the ideological foundation of the Labour Party, identifying it as a party of social democrats committed to their principles.
“This is a political party that is based on ideology, we are social democrats here. The people that put this political party up are social democrats and that is entrenched in the constitution. So, the only place for Peter Obi to win the election in 2027 is the Labour Party and we are preparing for that,” Olorunfemi added.
He also praised Peter Obi, the former governor of Anambra State, as the best president Nigeria is yet to have, expressing confidence that Obi will emerge victorious in the 2027 elections by divine providence.
Regarding the party’s internal issues, Olorunfemi assured that the Labour Party would emerge stronger from its current crisis. He expressed faith in the leadership under Julius Abure to resolve conflicts and reintegrate factions, specifically mentioning the potential return of the Lamidi Apapa camp.
He indicated that reconciliation efforts are in progress, and both Apapa and Abayomi Arambabi remain party members. Additionally, Olorunfemi mentioned the possibility of holding a special convention to fill vacant positions from the last convention, aiming to strengthen the party’s structure ahead of future challenges.
