Labour Party gives Obi 48 hours to resign over opposition coalition links

The Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party has issued a fiery 48-hour ultimatum to Peter Obi, demanding his immediate resignation from the party over his involvement in a newly formed opposition coalition.

In a statement released on Thursday in Abuja, the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, slammed the coalition as a gathering of “recycled, desperate, and frustrated politicians,” accusing Obi of betraying the Labour Party’s values and youth-led movement.

“Labour Party is not available for people with dual agenda,” Ifoh declared. “In the morning, they claim to be in Labour Party, and in the evening they’re in a coalition. That’s unacceptable.”

The party, under Abure’s leadership, insisted it is not part of the coalition and warned any member involved must formally resign within 48 hours. Ifoh claimed Obi had been secretly lobbying party members to defect with him, but many had refused.

“We’re aware of several nocturnal meetings between Peter Obi and some of our members,” Ifoh said. “But many have declined to follow him.”

Ifoh reiterated that Labour Party remains committed to building a “New Nigeria” driven by Nigerian youths, not by what he described as “opportunistic politicians” looking to reclaim lost influence.

“Nearly 70% of Nigeria’s population are youths. They are tired of the old order,” he said. “The new Nigeria of their dreams cannot emerge from this coalition.”

The faction stressed its position ahead of the 2027 elections, urging members to remain loyal and preserve the party’s structure.

Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, is yet to officially respond to the ultimatum.