Gov. Otti Describes Obi’s Exit As ‘Loss’

Otti spoke in Abuja during a meeting with members of the party’s Board of Trustees, leaders of the National Caretaker Committee and representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress.

The meeting came barely 24 hours after the Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party faulted the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission to recognise the Nenadi Usman-led National Caretaker Committee, describing the move as hasty, and prejudicial, adding that it aimed to sabotage the party’s leadership.

Speaking about Obi’s exit, Governor Otti said the Labour Party regretted losing its former standard-bearer but wished him well in his future political endeavours.

He said, “We regret the exit of the former leader of the party and former presidential candidate of the party. While we regret his exit, we wish him well.

“We have also decided that the party should come together and become a stronger force. We have also lost a few members to defection, including some members of the National Assembly.

But despite all that, this party remains strong.”

Otti also disclosed that following the party’s recent court victory, the new leadership had resolved to pursue reconciliation and rebuild internal cohesion.

According to him, a reconciliation committee would be set up to engage aggrieved members, including the ousted national chairman, Julius Abure, but warned that such efforts would only succeed if party rules were strictly observed.

He said, “We have decided there is a need to set up a reconciliation committee. The interim NWC will advise us on when to set up that committee. The entire idea is to reconcile everyone who is waiting and desires to return.

“We want to appeal to Julius Abure and his team to sheathe their swords and come back to the party. If they’re able to abide by the rules of the party, we will be happy to see them back.

“We also want to tell those who want to join the party that our doors are open to receive them. Finally, we regret that we’ll not be able to participate as a party in the forthcoming FCT council elections.”

When asked whether the Labour Party planned to join the emerging opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections, Otti dismissed the idea, insisting that the party already represented a coalition of its own.

According to him, the party is a coalition on its own comprising Nigerian workers and people of progressive minds.

“Labour is already a coalition. This is the coalition of Nigerian workers and people who are progressive and like-minded.

“So, I know when people talk about joining another coalition. We have no such plans,” he said.

The governor also commended INEC for complying with the judgment of the Federal High Court by replacing the Abure-led executives with the Nenadi Usman-led National Caretaker Committee on its portal.

“I am happy INEC also obeyed the court judgment by uploading the names of the leadership of the national caretaker committee on its portal.

“The major matters discussed today included the organisation of congresses from the ward to the zonal level, culminating in the national convention. I have also been notified that very soon the congresses will follow.

“The other major issue discussed is the revalidation of membership and registration of new members. The committee has been set up. We plan to prepare very soon for the congresses that will start in March,” he assured.

The PUNCH had reported that Obi formally defected to the African Democratic Congress at an event held at the Nike Lake Resort in Enugu State.

The former Anambra State governor had called on Nigerians and opposition forces to unite under a broad national coalition to “rescue Nigeria from poverty, disunity and democratic decline.”

Obi also accused the current political leadership of state capture, economic mismanagement and the systematic erosion of democratic values.

Despite the defection, Otti maintained that Obi’s absence would be deeply felt within the Labour Party.

its congresses will hold in Marchand to begin the revalidation of its membership as well as the registration of new members.

The party also expressed regret over the exit of its presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Abia State Governor, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, the resolutions were reached at a meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee and the Interim National Committee held in Abuja on Saturday.

The meeting was chaired by Otti.

The statement said the meeting resolved “to set up a timetable for the Labour Party congresses from the ward, local government, state and zonal levels, culminating in a national convention.” It added that the congresses are scheduled to begin in March 2026.

It also resolved “to begin the revalidation of membership and the registration of new members, with a committee set up to drive the exercise.”

The meeting further agreed to constitute a reconciliation committee to engage aggrieved members willing to return to the party, while calling on the former National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, and his team to “sheath their swords” and rejoin the party.

The party also called on Nigerians to join the Labour Party.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, Governor Otti thanked the Independent National Electoral Commission for recognising the Interim National Committee of the Labour Party and for uploading the names of its leadership on the commission’s website in compliance with a court order.

According to the statement, Otti said the party’s leadership regretted the exit of its former leader and presidential candidate, Peter Obi, wished him well, and urged members to close ranks in order to build a stronger political force.

It said, “The NEC acknowledged that the party had lost some members, including those elected on the party’s platform to the National Assembly, as well as some caretaker committee officials who were replaced, but maintained that the party remains strong.”

The party also regretted that it would not be able to participate in the forthcoming Federal Capital Territory election.

The statement concluded that Governor Otti thanked supporters of the party and assured them that the Labour Party would emerge stronger.