The Edo State chapter of the Labour Party has pointed fingers at the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, accusing him of fuelling the internal crisis tearing the party apart.
State chairman of the party, Elizabeth Ativie, made the allegation on Monday during a press briefing in Benin City, while defending the National Chairman, Julius Abure, against claims of misconduct.
Ativie insisted that contrary to insinuations from some quarters, Obi’s actions—particularly his handling of post-primary disputes and his role in party leadership tussles—were responsible for the rancour that has left the party factionalised.
She alleged that Obi’s intervention during the 2024 governorship primaries in Edo State derailed the National Working Committee’s zoning arrangement, which had favoured Edo Central. Instead, she claimed, Obi unilaterally endorsed Olumide Akpata as candidate, a move she said sowed discord within the ranks.
The Edo LP chair further accused Obi and Abia State governor, Alex Otti, of convening a controversial stakeholders’ meeting in Umuahia in September 2024, with the aim of toppling the party’s legally recognised leadership. According to her, that gathering marked the beginning of deep divisions in the party.
“He has been desperate to take over the soul of this party,” Ativie declared. “Despite all the goodwill extended to him, he turned around to bite the very hands that stood by him during campaigns and court battles. Nigerians must be cautious of such a character.”
She dismissed recent allegations by a party member, Precious Oruche, against Abure, describing them as malicious and unfounded.
