The Labour Party (LP) has reaffirmed its commitment to fielding former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi as its presidential candidate in the 2027 general elections, setting the stage for another high-stakes political showdown.
Obi, who ran on the LP platform in 2023, finished third behind President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Despite the setback, his candidacy galvanized a movement, particularly among young Nigerians seeking a fresh political alternative.
Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television program, LP’s National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, expressed confidence that the party would mount a formidable challenge in 2027.
“Tinubu is not just going to have it easy in 2027,” Arabambi declared. “We are coming back with Peter Obi, so they know we mean business.”
His remarks signal the LP’s intention to consolidate support around Obi, despite internal party rifts and growing political realignments. One such rift became evident with the recent departure of actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo, who resigned from the party citing leadership concerns.
Arabambi, however, dismissed Okonkwo’s exit as inconsequential, accusing him of working in favor of the ruling APC.
“His resignation is good riddance to bad rubbish,” he said. “He should not speak about the Labour Party anymore.”
Despite concerns about internal divisions, Arabambi insisted that the LP remains strong and poised for the future.
“There is no leadership crisis in the Labour Party,” he asserted. “Labour Party is not going into extinction. That is just a figment of our detractors’ imagination.”
