The Labour Party’s Acting National Chairman, Senator Nenadi Usman, has thrown her full weight behind Peter Obi’s participation in an emerging opposition alliance, affirming the party’s approval of his involvement in efforts to form a unified political front under the leadership of former Senate President David Mark.
In a statement released Thursday by her spokesperson, Ken Asogwa, Usman lambasted the faction led by Julius Abure, describing them as “political jesters” with no legal or constitutional claim to the party’s leadership.
“These individuals have no standing in the Labour Party,” Usman declared. “They were long ago removed by the Supreme Court for repeated acts of misconduct and disloyalty to the party. Their actions are null and void.”
Usman clarified that the Labour Party had not only been aware of but had also formally endorsed Obi’s coalition talks.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the leadership of the Labour Party, on May 26, 2025, publicly declared its full support for Mr. Obi’s involvement in the coalition efforts aimed at creating a robust political alternative to rescue Nigeria from the disastrous misrule of the APC. That position has not changed,” she said.
Reiterating this stance, she continued, “We wish to reaffirm that Mr. Peter Obi’s participation in the coalition activities, including the ADC unveiling, was done with the full knowledge, approval, and support of the Labour Party leadership.”
Addressing the threats issued to Obi by the Abure-led group—which had demanded his resignation within 48 hours—Usman dismissed them as distractions from “discredited elements.”
“It is the remnants of the disorder and mess left behind by these impostors that the current leadership under Senator Nenadi Usman continues to clean. Therefore, members of the public, and especially the media, are urged to disregard the distractions and mischief from these discredited elements,” she added.
The coalition, which held a high-level meeting on Wednesday in Abuja, announced the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its adopted platform for the 2027 general elections. Former Senate President David Mark was named interim National Chairman, while ex-Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola was appointed interim Secretary.
The gathering saw the attendance of several political heavyweights, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former governors Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna) and Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), as well as politicians like Dino Melaye, Solomon Dalung, Dele Momodu, Gabriel Suswam, Ireti Kingibe, Emeka Ihedioha, and Sadique Abubakar.
