Urgent Need For Labour Party To Reorganise And Reclaim Position For 2027

By Roland Ogbonnaya*

The 2023 Nigerian general election marked a watershed moment. For the first time in a long time, a groundswell of popular support coalesced around a political alternative, the Labour Party (LP), providing a beacon of hope to a nation tired of entrenched corruption and systemic failures.

Ordinary Nigerians rallied behind the LP, fuelled by Peter Obi’s charismatic appeal and a desire for genuine change. However, the promise of that moment hangs in the balance. Internal strife, allegations of self-interest, and structural flaws all threaten to derail the party’s momentum, jeopardising its chances of making a significant impact in the 2027 elections.

If the Labour Party is to remain a formidable force and a viable option for the Nigerian people, it must address these internal issues immediately and undergo a fundamental reorganisation.

The current state of the Labour Party is troubling. The power struggle, the cancer it promised to eradicate from Nigerian politics, appears to have infected the party from within. The painful question echoing across the nation is whether these struggles are motivated by a genuine desire to strengthen the party for the sake of the nation, or by personal ambition and the lure of political spoils. This perception of self-serving infighting is undermining the hope that the LP once represented in the minds of many Nigerians.

The need for party supremacy and a commitment to the emancipation of the Nigerian people must take precedence over all personal interests, regardless of whether they come from the so-called “Nenadi” or “Abure” groups. Ordinary Nigerians’ sacrifices in the last election, as well as their unwavering belief in a better future, should serve as a constant reminder of the responsibility that LP leaders bear. These were not mere party loyalists; they were citizens motivated by a strong desire to change the course of their country.

The stark reality is that the LP’s organisational capacity for the 2023 election was woefully insufficient. The party’s inability to place party agents in a large number of polling stations, particularly in northern states, hampered its ability to protect votes and effectively challenge irregularities.

To believe that this weakness will not be exploited even more brutally in the next election is dangerously naive. This organisational failure, combined with the perception of internal conflict, has driven many loyal party members to the brink of apathy. Why would they devote their time, resources, and energy to a party that appears to be falling apart on the inside?

The critical question that every LP member must ask themselves is whether the party can legitimately claim to have performed adequately in the previous election, given its inability to provide adequate polling agents in many regions. Is the current internal struggle for positions within the party justifiable in light of these obvious shortcomings?

If re-electing Julius Abure as party chairman truly benefits the LP, then so be it. However, the widespread agitation and discontent surrounding his leadership must be addressed. The gravity of the situation necessitates a new convention, one conducted with transparency, inclusivity, and full participation of all stakeholders.

If the LP does not address these issues, it risks stagnation and eventual irrelevance. A campaign based on inclusivity, genuine dialogue, and a commitment to resolving internal conflicts is essential. The party must show the Nigerian people that it is capable of putting aside personal ambitions and working together for the greater good.

The claim that Peter Obi was not a member of the Labour Party before the 2023 election is legally and factually incorrect. His candidature and the subsequent surge in support for the party unequivocally demonstrate his membership and the transformative impact it had. To deny this is to rewrite history and ignore the foundational principles that underpin the LP’s 2023 campaign.

Similarly, while the Supreme Court’s decision on the jurisdiction of courts over internal party matters is significant, it does not absolve the LP leadership of the responsibility to resolve internal disputes through dialogue and negotiation. The court decision essentially gives the party the authority to choose its own leaders, but it does not ensure legitimacy or popular support.

In this context, it is incumbent on Peter Obi and Alex Otti, two of the party’s most powerful figures, to use their financial resources and political capital to initiate a constitutional change in leadership, if that is deemed necessary for the party’s survival and long-term success. Their reluctance to fully participate in this process, whether due to fear or other reasons, is understandable but ultimately harmful to the LP’s long-term health. The ball is firmly in their court, and their actions could determine the party’s fate.

The current turmoil within the Labour Party can be attributed, in part, to opportunistic individuals who attempted to profit from the party’s unexpected success in the 2023 election. These individuals, motivated by personal gain rather than genuine loyalty to the party’s ideals, are now attempting to hijack the LP for their own selfish ends. The recent departure of figures such as Ozigbo, who were later humiliated in the APC primaries, serves as a warning sign.

The Labour Party’s true strength lies in its connection with Nigeria’s suffering masses, who see Peter Obi as a leader with the credibility and vision to free the country from the clutches of corruption and mismanagement. These voters remain committed to the LP and Peter Obi, and they will not be swayed by the machinations of self-serving politicians.

Peter Obi must recognise the danger posed by those who seek to exploit the LP for personal gain. These individuals may appear loyal, but their true intentions are to hijack the party and undermine his leadership. Nigeria is on the verge of collapse as a result of the APC’s mismanagement, and the Labour Party must stay united and focused on its mission of providing a viable alternative for Nigerians.

In summary, the Labour Party is at a crossroads. The internal conflicts and organisational flaws that plagued the party during the 2023 election cannot be overlooked. To have a significant impact in 2027, the LP must undergo a fundamental reorganisation, prioritising party supremacy over personal ambition, and addressing the grievances of its demoralised members. Peter Obi and Alex Otti play an important role in starting this process and ensuring that the LP keeps its promise of providing a better future for Nigeria.

The suffering masses, who placed their hopes and dreams in the Labour Party, deserve no less. Failure to act decisively will jeopardise the party’s future while also betraying the trust of millions of Nigerians eager for genuine change. The time to act is now.

*Ogbonnaya is a journalist and multimedia consultant