The Labour Party (LP) has reacted sharply to the defection of its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing his exit as a relief and declaring that the party has been “finally liberated.”
In a strongly worded statement titled “Labour Party Finally Liberated by Peter Obi’s Defection,” the party went as far as asking Nigerians to forgive it for presenting what it described as an “unfitting” presidential candidate in the last general election.
The statement, signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Obiora Ifoh, said the LP leadership had taken note of Obi’s defection to the ADC on Wednesday in Enugu, as well as the address he delivered at the event.
“The leadership of the Labour Party took note of the defection of its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi and a few of his supporters to the African Democratic Congress, ADC,” the statement said.
“We also took note of the lacklustre speech Mr. Obi made at the occasion, and wondered what new he intends to sell to Nigerians.”
According to the party, it had effectively separated from Obi since September 2024 and had merely been waiting for his formal departure.
“For us in Labour Party, we wondered why it took them this long to make the move because we have since September 2024 parted ways with Peter Obi and some of his blind supporters in the National Assembly. We have patiently waited for this day,” it stated.
The party argued that Obi’s exit had brought an end to its prolonged internal crisis, which it blamed squarely on him and Abia State Governor, Alex Otti.
“The party is finally liberated by this defection and as party leaders, we count it as a blessing,” the statement read. “The crisis we had in Labour Party was caused by Peter Obi and the Abia State governor, Dr. Alex Otti.”
The Labour Party further accused Obi and Otti of sponsoring what it described as an insurrection against the Julius Abure-led national leadership of the party, adding that a number of lawmakers had been suspended over alleged anti-party activities linked to the crisis.
Commenting on the defection event held in Enugu, the party claimed the gathering was largely shunned by key political figures and traditional institutions in the South East.
“All we saw were mere political spent forces who cannot win in their wards should there be an election today,” it alleged.
The party also insisted that Obi’s political relevance had diminished since the 2023 election, warning that his new political ambition was already facing serious challenges.
“This is clearly a danger signal that the Obi presidency (or vice presidency) is already a failed project from inception,” it said.
In a rare and striking admission, the Labour Party apologised to Nigerians over its choice of candidate in the 2023 presidential election.
“We gave Nigerians a candidate we thought was good for the nation in 2023, but time has since proved that we made the greatest political mistake. We plead for forgiveness from Nigerians,” the statement concluded.
What you should know
The Labour Party’s reaction marks one of its strongest public condemnations of Peter Obi since the internal crisis that split the party leadership and lawmakers after the 2023 election.
Obi’s defection to the ADC has reshaped opposition politics ahead of 2027, deepening divisions between former allies.
The LP’s apology and claims of “liberation” signal an attempt to reset its political identity, distance itself from past conflicts, and regain credibility among voters who associated the party almost entirely with Obi’s presidential run.
