From Okwe Obi, Abuja
A former presidential aspirant and a chieftain of the Labour Party (LP), Faduri Oluwadare Joseph, has accused the party’s 2023 presidential candidate of being responsible for the crisis rocking the party.
Joseph, in a statement yesterday, said since the 2023 election, Obi, who served as governor of Anambra State, had distanced himself from the Julius Abure-led administration, instead of joining forces with him to fix the leadership crisis.
He referenced the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), which he said Obi did not build but abandoned after enjoying the fortune of the party.
He said: “My attention has been drawn to numerous comments and videos where Mr. Peter Obi continues to blame everyone but himself for the deepening crisis in the Labour Party. From blaming the current president to party leadership and even external forces, Obi seems to be pointing fingers everywhere except at the man in the mirror.
“This is both disappointing and disingenuous. It is laughable that a man who prides himself on competence, capacity, and production — the core vision of the Labour Party — is today a symbol of division, confusion, and underperformance.
“I recently watched a video where he accused the president of being responsible for the party’s woes. In another, he blamed the party leadership. The blame game is endless.
“Let us call a spade what it is: the only person to be held responsible for the Labour Party’s downward spiral is Mr. Peter Obi himself.
“When Obi joined the party in 2022, Labour Party was united. The house was in order. But since his arrival, crisis has rocked the party from top to bottom. The centre could no longer hold.
“This division contributed heavily to our loss in the 2023 general election. A house divided against itself cannot stand.
“How can a man who claims he wants to govern a complex nation like Nigeria not even manage a small political party?
“To all Obi supporters, I ask you to think critically: If Peter Obi cannot resolve party-level crises, how will he manage inter-state conflicts, economic restructuring, security turmoil, and national reconciliation?
“Let us not forget, Obi did not build APGA — the platform that gave him his first opportunity. He deserted it when he should have grown it into a national party, like Nnamdi Azikiwe did with NCNC or Awolowo with UPN. Compare that to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who turned a regional party into a national powerhouse that now governs Nigeria.
“Instead of strengthening APGA, Obi ran to PDP for another political meal, then moved again to Labour Party for a third helping — always looking for the easiest path, not the one requiring true leadership and sacrifice.
“After the 2023 elections, instead of returning to rebuild Labour Party and unify aggrieved members, he further distanced himself from Barr. Julius Abure — the very man he used during the campaign. Now that the party is in ruins, he blames Abure for the dirt, forgetting he was the one who walked into a clean house and messed it up.
“Let me be clear: I am no fan of Julius Abure, but the shady deals now under scrutiny were made for Obi’s political ambition. Leadership requires loyalty, responsibility, and the will to lead — especially in difficult times.”
According to him, “Mr. Obi is not qualified to be a coalition candidate for 2027. That position must be earned through proven leadership, party unity, and capacity — not mere popularity or public sympathy.
“In 2022, Labour Party was dead asleep. I, Fadojoe, with the Rescue Movement, helped wake it up and gave Nigerians an option. The people were already disillusioned with APC and PDP. Obi benefitted from this public frustration — not because he was a political messiah, but because he was a lesser-known alternative.
“Now, the reality has dawned on many. People are beginning to see beyond the media image. They ask — what does Peter Obi actually stand for?
“Would Tinubu blame Labour Party for APC’s problems? Would PDP shift blame to the ruling party for its internal fights? No. So why should Obi not own up after two years in LP?
“If you cannot lead, step aside. Let those of us who have the vision, the capacity, and the courage to build a united and purpose-driven Labour Party take over. Reorganising this party is not rocket science. Fixing Nigeria starts from fixing ourselves, our political parties, and our communities.
“In 2027, Nigerians must choose a leader not based on sentiments or moral branding, but on vision, capacity, and competence.”