Callistus Okafor’s LP faction says ‘5m’ members have quit the party

Callistus Okafor, the factional chairman of the Labour Party (LP) says his group has pulled out the opposition party with “its five million members”.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, Okafor said the decision to leave the opposition party was taken after deliberations with members of his faction.

The factional LP chairman said it is no longer healthy to remain in the party.

“My own faction, we met, and we said that this is the time. I hereby announce to Nigerians, based on the decision as a team in the Labour Party – the 5 million Nigerians who are under my control, hereby today pull out from LP to team WaZoBia Nigeria,” he said.

Okafor said WaZoBia Nigeria is a non-partisan organisation and a movement, adding that he would provide details about it at a later time.

“It has come to a point where it is no longer healthy in LP,” he said.

He claimed that Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the party in 2023, has done little to keep the LP united.

“Peter Obi, when he came to the party, he supported Abure, who has become his archenemy today,” Okafor said.

“If Peter Obi had called me, LP would have gone into that election (2023) with one mind. We know the outcome of the election.”

Okafor said Obi ought to have rallied members and united the party after the 2023 elections.

The LP has been entangled in a leadership crisis for months, with Julius Abure, Nenadi Usman, and Okafor each claiming to be the party’s legitimate leader.