Nenadi Usman-led LP rejects Abure’s 48-hour resignation ultimatum to Obi

The Labour Party (LP) caretaker committee led by Nenadi Usman has rejected the 48-hour ultimatum issued to Peter Obi, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, by the Julius Abure-led faction.

Earlier today, the Abure-led faction asked Obi to resign from the party following his involvement in a new opposition coalition.

The former governor of Anambra had said the decision to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the party chosen by the opposition coalition, was not taken lightly.

A statement issued by Eluma Asogwa, Usman’s senior special adviser on media, described the ultimatum issued by Abure as “mischievous” and lacking both legal and moral weight.

The party described those behind the ultimatum as “political jesters” with no authority in the party, adding that Obi’s ADC involvement had LP’s backing.

“The attention of the Labour Party has been drawn to misleading reports and commentaries suggesting that His Excellency, Mr Peter Obi, has been issued a 48-hour ultimatum to resign from the party following his participation in the recent coalition talks and the unveiling of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Abuja,” the statement read.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the leadership of the Labour Party, on May 26, 2025, publicly declared its full support for Mr Peter Obi’s involvement in the coalition efforts aimed at creating a robust political alternative to rescue Nigeria from the disastrous misrule of the APC. That position has not changed.

“We wish to reaffirm that Mr Peter Obi’s participation in the coalition activities, including the ADC unveiling, was done with the full knowledge, approval, and support of the Labour Party leadership.

“The individuals claiming to have issued an ultimatum to Mr Obi are political jesters with no legitimate standing in the Labour Party.

“They are neither recognised by the party nor by the law, having long been sacked by the Supreme Court of Nigeria – the highest court in the land – and suspended from the party for their serial acts of indiscipline and anti-party activities.

“It is the remnants of the disorder and mess left behind by these impostors that the current leadership under Senator Nenadi Usman continues to clean.

“Therefore, members of the public, and especially the media, are urged to disregard the distractions and mischief from these discredited elements.

“For clarity, the only legitimate and authoritative source of information regarding the official position of the Labour Party on any matter remains the office of Senator Nenadi Usman, acting national chairman of the Labour Party.”

On May 26, Usman said her leadership of the party had endorsed Obi’s involvement in coalition meetings ahead of the 2027 elections.

Usman said the party “wholeheartedly welcomes” the Nigerian-driven coalition movement, noting that Obi can run for the 2027 presidency under LP if the coalition deal fails to materialise.

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