Labour Party Crisis Deepens in Ogun State as Coalition Disowns Splinter Group

A brewing storm is threatening the stability of the Labour Party in Ogun State, Nigeria, as the Ogun Coalition of Obidients and Labour Party Members (OCOL) has publicly disavowed a splinter group claiming to represent the party’s authentic leadership. In a strongly worded statement, OCOL labeled the splinter group as illegitimate and composed of "expired, unelected individuals" bent on destabilizing the party from within.

At the heart of the crisis is a deep-seated loyalty to the party’s national leader, Mr. Peter Obi, and his vision of a "New Nigeria." OCOL, which encompasses a broad spectrum of professionals, artisans, and students, reaffirmed its commitment to Obi’s ideals and awaited direction from him. As Seun Bakare, Coordinator of OCOL, emphasized, "We are awaiting direction from our national leader, Peter Obi, and remain committed to his vision of a transformed, people-oriented Nigeria."

The coalition alleged that the splinter group is made up of local government-level officials whose tenures have expired or who were never duly elected. OCOL accused these individuals of being "political jobbers" with some allegedly serving as moles for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), aiming to ridicule the Labour Party for selfish reasons. The coalition also criticized the splinter group for name-dropping respected party figures like Nenadi Usman in a bid to garner legitimacy, stating, "They are now name-dropping respected party figures like Nenadi Usman in a bid to buy legitimacy. But we refuse to be led by those who betrayed the party in past elections."

The emergence of multiple factions within the Labour Party, including the Ashade-led executive, the Jagun-led caretaker committee, and the newly formed Olaolu-led interim committee, poses a significant threat to the party’s integrity in Ogun State. OCOL warned that this factionalism could plunge the party into protracted legal battles, similar to the crisis that has paralyzed the Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) since 2010. "When will this absurdity end?" OCOL queried, stressing the urgent need for unity and competent leadership.

In a call to action, OCOL urged the national leadership of the Labour Party to take decisive steps to address the crisis and avoid repeating the mistakes of the past. The coalition emphasized its stand for unity, legality, and competent leadership, stating, "We urge the national leadership of the Labour Party to take decisive steps and avoid repeating the mistakes of others. Reckless ambition and betrayal must not be allowed to derail the party. We stand for unity, legality, and competent leadership."

As the Labour Party navigates this challenging period, the outcome of this internal conflict will have significant implications for the party’s future and its ability to present a united front in upcoming elections. The situation in Ogun State serves as a microcosm of the broader challenges faced by political parties in Nigeria, highlighting the need for strong leadership, internal cohesion, and a commitment to democratic principles. With the fate of the Labour Party hanging in the balance, one thing is clear: the path forward will require careful navigation and a renewed focus on the values that have driven the party’s mission from the outset.