ABUJA — The Labour Party (LP) has called on its members nationwide to disregard a directive issued by its former presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, urging them to vote for another political party in the August 16, 2025 bye-elections.
In a strongly worded statement signed by National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, the party described Obi’s remarks as “misleading, mischievous and delusional,” insisting that the LP remains firmly on the ballot with candidates contesting in all affected constituencies.
“It is unfortunate that Mr. Obi has chosen to campaign against the very party that gave him a platform during the 2023 elections,” Abure said. “We urge our faithful members to ignore his malicious directive and to cast their votes for the Labour Party and its candidates.”
The LP leadership accused Obi of fomenting crises within the party, referencing past disputes in other political organisations, including the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). The statement alleged that Obi had played a role in factionalising APGA and later instigating internal conflicts within Labour Party ranks.
The party also linked Obi to the “illegal expanded stakeholders meeting” held in Umuahia on September 4, 2024, alongside Abia State Governor Alex Otti, claiming the gathering worsened the party’s leadership disputes. It further accused Obi of funding unrest within the LP and protesting against the party at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to Abure, the LP has taken “every legal and procedural step” to ensure that its candidates remain in the race, despite what he described as Obi’s attempts to “strangulate” the party. “Labour Party is on the ballot, and our candidates will participate fully in the bye-elections,” he stressed.
The statement criticised Obi’s political style, claiming he had become an “irony and paradox” in Nigerian politics. “His desperation to control the party’s soul has made him go haywire. Nigerians now know who Peter Obi really is,” Abure said.
The Labour Party urged its members, candidates, and supporters in all states where bye-elections will hold to remain focused, carry out their civic responsibilities, and work towards securing victory for the party on August 16.
