Ex-presidential aspirant: LP crisis is karma for betrayal — Obi’s candidacy was an injustice

Faduri Joseph, former presidential aspirant of the Labour Party (LP), says the ongoing crisis in the party is “poetic justice” for the betrayal he suffered in 2022.

Since the conclusion of the 2023 general election, the LP has been embroiled in a leadership crisis, with three different factions now claiming control of the party.

In a statement on Saturday, Joseph accused key party figures of manipulating the presidential primary process to edge him out in favour of Peter Obi.

Obi, former governor of Anambra, left the Peoples Democratic Party in June 2022 and became the LP’s presidential candidate at the time.

Joseph claimed his LP political structure was hijacked despite laying the groundwork for a credible third-force alternative.

“What is happening in the Labour Party today is nothing short of poetic justice — a karma unfolding before the very eyes of the nation,” he said.

“It is the consequence of the injustice, betrayal, and deceit done to me and my team in 2022, when some leaders of the party connived to rob me of the presidential ticket — a ticket we labored tirelessly to build — and handed it over to Mr. Peter Obi.

“In 2022, LP was a dead structure — no plan, no preparation, no hope. I reached out to its national leaders, including Dr. Abayomi Arabambi, Alhaji Lamidi Apapa, and Barr. Julius Abure. I rallied my team, invested resources, and reawakened the sleeping giant.

“I took it upon myself to appear on national television and newspapers, promoting the Labour Party to Nigerians, without the backing of any godfather.

“I encouraged party leaders to become visible, and we began to build a credible third force.”

According to Joseph, congresses were held across the country ahead of the 2022 primary in Asaba, but the process was abruptly disrupted.

Joseph, who is the leader of the Rescue Movement for a New Nigeria (RM), said although he had legal grounds to challenge the outcome, he chose patriotism over litigation.

“But just five days before our primaries, those same leaders sold their conscience. They betrayed me and handed the ticket to Mr. Peter Obi in exchange for money. I was forced out of the race,” the ex-presidential aspirant said.

The former presidential aspirant likened himself to the biblical David, claiming he was capable of defeating “every Goliath” in that election.

“But they allowed greed and personal gain to blind them. After I was unjustly removed, the peace and unity we had built collapsed. The party has not known true peace since,” he said.

“But I made it clear: the candidacy of Peter Obi was built on injustice. No matter how loud the noise or how vast the donations, the foundation was flawed. And just as they cheated me, the system cheated them in return.”

The leader of the Rescue Movement also said that the current LP leadership lacks the moral standing to lead Nigeria into the future.

“I remain a member of Labour Party, but I have not yet decided the platform on which I will run in 2027. What I do know is this: I will run again for the presidency of Nigeria in 2027” he said.

Joseph called for a generational power shift, urging elder statesmen including President Bola Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi to step aside.