The Labour Party in Rivers State, led by Nenadi Usman, has announced that its structures and organs across various states are expected to join the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in the African Democratic Congress (ADC). This development follows Obi’s defection from the Labour Party to the ADC, alongside some party stalwarts from the South-East, in Enugu State.
According to Gogo Wellington, the Chairman of the Nenadi Usman-led faction of the Labour Party in Rivers State, the party had been engaged in opposition coalition talks, which have now been concluded. The outcome of these discussions led to Obi’s decision to move to the ADC. Wellington explained that the party’s involvement in the coalition talks was aimed at securing a viable platform for the 2027 general elections.
The leader of the Obedient Movement in Rivers State attributed Obi’s defection to unresolved internal issues within the Labour Party. He noted that the focus of Obi and his supporters is to rescue Nigeria from its current challenges, regardless of the political platform. Wellington expressed confidence in Obi’s ability to secure the ADC’s presidential ticket, but emphasized that the overriding objective remains the rescue of Nigeria.
Wellington stated that Obi’s supporters no longer have a political stake in the Labour Party following his exit. He cited the challenges that had bedeviled Obi’s political pursuit in the Labour Party, including elements of destruction that had sown seeds of discord within the party. The move to the ADC is seen as a welcome development, as it provides a viable platform for the 2027 electoral pursuit.
The defection of Obi and his supporters to the ADC is expected to be completed within a short period, with other party structures and organs across the states likely to follow suit. The development has significant implications for Nigeria’s political landscape, particularly in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the move will impact the country’s political dynamics and the future of the Labour Party.