Former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi has accused the current administration of orchestrating internal conflicts within opposition parties, including his own Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The former Anambra State Governor made these allegations during a weekend address to young supporters, captured in a video that has been circulating on the party’s WhatsApp platform. The seven-minute, sixteen-second clip shows Obi responding to concerns from youth supporters about his apparent distance from ongoing LP internal disputes.
“What is happening in the Labour Party and the PDP is caused by the government, quote me anywhere,” Obi stated emphatically during the session.
Commitment to 2027 Election Bid
Addressing speculation about his political future, Obi confirmed his intention to remain within the Labour Party structure for the 2027 presidential election. When directly asked about which platform he would use for his next campaign, he responded: “I will still continue to run in the Labour Party. I’m a member of the Labour Party.”
The 2023 presidential candidate drew parallels to past political interventions, referencing how former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua once helped resolve party conflicts during his tenure. “We had a problem in our party before, in the past. Yar’Adua was the president. I went to him then; he called the INEC Chairman (Prof. Maurice Iwu) and told him I don’t want any problem in any party. We were forced to fix it,” Obi recalled.
Systematic Problems in Political Parties
Obi characterized the current party crises as “deliberate problems caused by the system,” suggesting a coordinated effort to weaken opposition forces. He positioned these issues as part of broader systemic problems he aims to address if given the opportunity to lead the country.
“Parties will function very well because you can’t have a system working without a strong opposition,” he emphasized, highlighting the importance of robust democratic institutions.
Call for Electoral Responsibility
The former governor urged Nigerian citizens to take active responsibility in protecting their votes, noting that while political parties may deploy agents to safeguard their interests, the ultimate power to ensure votes count rests with the electorate themselves.
In his closing remarks, Obi encouraged young Nigerians and the broader electorate to remain steadfast despite challenges, acknowledging that positive change often faces resistance from those who benefit from existing systems.
The Labour Party has been experiencing internal tensions in recent months, with various factions emerging within the party structure. Similar challenges have also affected the PDP, Nigeria’s main opposition party, as both platform navigate post-election dynamics and prepare for future electoral cycles.
