The Labour Party in Nigeria is facing internal conflicts, with the party’s factional chairman in Edo State, Elizabeth Ativie, blaming former presidential candidate Peter Obi for the current problems. According to Ativie, a meeting convened by Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti in Umuahia in September 2024 sparked the issues within the party.
Ativie, a loyalist of the party’s National Chairman, Julius Abure, made these comments in response to an attack on Abure by one of Obi’s supporters, Precious Oruche. She alleged that the meeting in question was illegal and aimed to remove the party’s National Working Committee through underhanded means. Ativie stated that Obi and Otti’s actions were responsible for the party’s current predicament.
Ativie also questioned Obi’s leadership abilities, suggesting that he lacks the necessary competence, character, and capacity to lead the country effectively. She emphasized that a leader who cannot guide their followers properly is not suitable to lead a nation. Ativie’s comments highlight the deepening divisions within the Labour Party, which has been struggling with internal conflicts since the last presidential election.
The Labour Party has been attempting to reposition itself as a major force in Nigerian politics, but the ongoing infighting threatens to undermine these efforts. The party’s national leadership has been working to address the issues, but the conflict between Obi’s supporters and other factions continues to be a challenge. As the party moves forward, it remains to be seen how these internal conflicts will be resolved and what impact they will have on the party’s future prospects.
