…Set To Join New Party As Defection Talks Intensify
Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, is expected to formally exit the party this week, as prolonged leadership disputes and internal fractures continue to undermine its stability, multiple political sources have disclosed to THE WHISTLER.
While Obi’s decision to leave the Labour Party appears imminent, findings by THE WHISTLER revealed that the political platform he intends to join remains uncertain, with defection talks still fluid and consultations ongoing across several opposition blocs.
Sources familiar with the development said Obi has been weighing his options carefully amid efforts by different parties to court him ahead of the 2027 general election.
However, indications suggest that he may not be heading to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), despite strong interest from the party.
According to insiders within the ADC, negotiations between the party and Obi have not been concluded, as some of the conditions being put forward by the former Anambra State governor are yet to be agreed upon.
“ADC wants Peter Obi by all means, but there are internal processes and structural issues he wants addressed which the party is not yet prepared to implement,” one of the sources told THE WHISTLER.
There are also indications that Obi’s hesitation may be linked to emerging alignments within the ADC ahead of 2027.
Sources told THE WHISTLER that the party may have largely settled on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its preferred presidential candidate, a development that could complicate Obi’s own presidential ambition and strategic calculations.
Against this backdrop, am inside sources told THE WHISTLER that Obi may opt for an entirely new political platform, rather than aligning with any of the existing opposition parties where entrenched interests and pre-existing agreements could limit his political room to manoeuvre.
Obi’s impending exit from the Labour Party is widely attributed to the deepening and intractable leadership crisis that has rocked the party since the aftermath of the 2023 general election. The crisis, which centres on disputes over the party’s national leadership, has resulted in parallel executives, protracted court battles and persistent internal divisions.
At the heart of the crisis is the controversy surrounding the tenure of the party’s former National Chairman, Julius Abure.
Obi and other stakeholders have consistently argued that a Supreme Court judgment effectively invalidated Abure’s continued stay in office.
However, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has yet to fully give effect to that judgment, a situation that has prolonged the leadership tussle.
The inability to resolve the dispute has left the party fractured, with rival factions laying claim to legitimacy and authority.
This, it was learnt has hampered decision-making, weakened internal discipline and stalled efforts to reposition the party as a cohesive opposition force.
Sources close to Obi told THE WHISTLER that the former governor believes his presence in the Labour Party has become a major factor exacerbating the crisis, with competing factions seeking to leverage his political stature and popularity to legitimise their claims.
“He feels the party is going through this prolonged turmoil largely because of him,” a source said. “Every faction wants to be seen as having his backing, and that has made reconciliation almost impossible. His view is that stepping aside may give the party space to resolve its issues.”
The Labour Party rose from relative obscurity to national prominence during the 2023 presidential election, largely on the back of Obi’s candidacy.
His campaign galvanised millions of young Nigerians and urban voters, transforming the party into a significant political force almost overnight.
However, the post-election period has been marked by intense internal wrangling, legal battles and leadership disputes that have eroded much of the momentum generated during the polls.
Several elected officials on the party’s platform have since defected, citing the unresolved crisis and lack of clear direction.
Obi is said to be increasingly concerned that remaining in a party mired in perpetual conflict could damage his reformist image and weaken his political base ahead of future electoral contests.
Although he has not publicly announced his next political destination, sources said Obi is inclined towards a platform that allows for internal democracy, clear leadership structures and freedom from protracted litigation.
His anticipated exit is expected to trigger fresh realignments within the opposition space, as parties reposition themselves ahead of 2027 and seek to tap into the support base popularly referred to as the “Obidient” movement.
Obi’s next move could significantly reshape opposition politics, particularly if he aligns with or helps form a new political platform capable of consolidating disenchanted voters across party lines.
When contacted on Sunday, the spokesman of the African Development Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, could not immediately confirm whether or not Obi had the ADC in view.
“I heard about his moves to leave the Labour Party just as you heard it. For now, I can’t confirm to you whether he is joining the ADC or not.
“But what I can tell you is that I don’t think there would be any conditionalities attached if he is joining the ADC,” Abdullahi told THE WHISTLER on phone on Sunday evening.
The spokesman said the party would warmly welcome the former presidential candidate into its fold should he decide to join the ADC.
Efforts to get reaction from the Labour Party were unsuccessful. The spokesman of the Julius Abure-led faction, Obiora Ifoh, did not pick repeated calls to his mobile line neither did he respond to SMS message sent to him by one of our correspondents.
Also, repeated calls to the mobile telephone line of the National Coordinator of the Obedient Movement, Dr Yunusa Tango did not connect.
