The internal crisis rocking the Labour Party (LP) has deepened as Dr. Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, running mate to Peter Obi in the 2023 presidential election, has distanced himself from Obi’s camp by affirming Julius Abure as the authentic national chairman of the party.
Baba-Ahmed made his position known during a live television interview on Tuesday, where he confirmed attending the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting convened by the Abure-led faction in Abuja on Monday.
The development comes barely 48 hours after another faction loyal to Obi, including Abia State Governor Alex Otti and Senator Nenadi Usman, held a separate NEC meeting in Umuahia, where Usman was reappointed as interim national chairman.
Justifying his position, Baba-Ahmed said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) currently recognizes Abure as the party’s chairman and noted that he would abide by any contrary ruling from the Supreme Court.
“INEC has been dealing with Julius Abure. If the Supreme Court rules otherwise, the law is the law,” he stated, adding that he had also indicated interest in contesting the 2027 presidential election during the Abuja NEC meeting.
Asked about his relationship with Obi, Baba-Ahmed said he still respects the former Anambra governor but maintained that Obi could seek the presidency in 2027 “with or without me.”
His comments signal a widening division in the LP as the party prepares for the next general elections.
Leave a Reply