- Usman said Obi’s role in ADC coalition had full backing of LP leadership, contrary to claims from expelled Abure-led group.
- The party labelled the ultimatum a product of discredited elements with no legal recognition or moral authority.
The senator Nenadi Usman-led caretaker committee of the Labour Party has slammed a 48-hour ultimatum given to Peter Obi to resign or face expulsion.
The party dismissed the ultimatum issued by the Julius Abure-led faction, describing it as “mischievous and baseless.”
In a statement signed by the senior special assistant (media) to the acting national chairman, Ken Eluma Asogwa, the party debunked reports suggesting Obi had fallen out with the leadership over coalition talks.
“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. 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.”
The party said Obi’s participation in the ADC event had the blessing of its leadership.
“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 statement said.
It said those behind the ultimatum had no legal or moral standing in the party.
“The individuals claiming to have issued an ultimatum to Mr. Obi are political jesters with no legitimate standing in the Labour Party,” the party said.
“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.”
The caretaker committee accused the Abure camp of causing chaos and dragging the party’s name through the mud.
“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,” it added.
The committee urged Nigerians and the media to ignore the faction’s claims.
“Therefore, members of the public, and especially the media, are urged to disregard the distractions and mischief from these discredited elements,” the party said.
“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.”