Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central, has stated that those trying to persuade Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, to leave the party for another in 2027 “may be on a wild goose chase.”
Umeh, a prominent figure in the Labour Party and former national chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), expressed these views during an extended stakeholders’ meeting of the Labour Party in Umuahia on Thursday. He noted that Obi gained significant support in the 2023 elections largely due to the platform provided by the Labour Party, making it inappropriate for him to abandon it.
His comments come amid speculation that Obi is under pressure to return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he could be given the opportunity to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) with the full backing of PDP leadership.
However, Senator Umeh emphasized that Obi is more likely to strengthen the Labour Party ahead of 2027 rather than leave it behind. He remarked, “Encouraging Peter Obi to leave the Labour Party would not be right because LP gave him the visibility that resonated with Nigerians in the last election. Whatever happens now should be focused on building the party and advancing his interests. Those urging him to leave may be chasing an unattainable goal.”
Umeh commended Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti for their initiative in revitalizing the Labour Party by organizing the Umuahia stakeholders meeting, which addressed critical issues affecting the party’s future.
“We are pleased that we have tackled the challenges facing the party. No organization wants to operate under suspicious or unrecognized leadership. We were worried about how our last National Working Committee (NWC) was not acknowledged by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which is why we convened this meeting. It was clear that their tenure had ended, and it would be unwise to continue with them, as one cannot build on a faulty foundation.”
Umeh expressed gratitude to Peter Obi and Governor Alex Otti for their contributions, saying their courage in holding the stakeholders’ meeting has strengthened the party.
During the well-attended meeting, former Finance Minister Senator Nenadi Usman from Kaduna State was appointed chair of a 29-member Caretaker Committee tasked with overseeing the party’s affairs and organizing congresses and conventions within 90 days.
LP National Assembly members, State Assembly members, 2023 gubernatorial candidates, and other key stakeholders from across the nation were present at the meeting. It also included Obi’s running mate in 2023, Dr. Datti Ahmed, along with representatives from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
