The Labour Party has issued a sweeping apology to Nigerians, admitting that it made what it described as its “greatest political mistake” by fielding an “unfit” presidential candidate in the 2023 general election.
The apology was contained in a strongly worded statement released by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, and published on the party’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle. The statement followed the defection of the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, and some of his supporters to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Reacting to Obi’s exit, the Labour Party said it had long parted ways with him and viewed his defection as a relief rather than a loss. “The party is finally liberated by this defection and as party leaders, we count it as a blessing,” the statement said.
The party disclosed that it had separated from Obi and some of his supporters as far back as September 2024, accusing them of working against the party’s leadership. According to the statement, party leaders had repeatedly urged Obi and his loyalists to leave if they could not align with the leadership, adding that several lawmakers were suspended for alleged anti-party activities.
Labour Party further accused Obi and Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, of sponsoring what it described as an “insurrection” against the Julius Abure-led national leadership. The party claimed it was surprised that Governor Otti, despite being suspended, was “still loitering around” the party and urged him to follow Obi out.
Commenting on the event marking Obi’s defection in Enugu, the party dismissed it as poorly attended, alleging that prominent political figures and traditional institutions in the South-East stayed away. It described those present as “political spent forces” and warned that the development signaled the collapse of any future Obi-led presidential or vice-presidential ambition.
The statement also blamed Obi for what it described as the political marginalization of the South-East under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It claimed that the zone suffered ministerial and infrastructural neglect because it “trusted and believed in him in 2023.”
While some regions, according to the party, secured as many as five ministerial appointments, it said the entire South-East received only five slots, calling the outcome a painful political lesson for the region.
In a rare public admission, the Labour Party openly apologized to Nigerians for its role in the 2023 election. “We gave Nigerians a candidate we thought was good for the nation in 2023, but time has since proved that we made the greatest political mistake. We plead for forgiveness from Nigerians,” the statement read.
The party concluded by asking Nigerians to “watch out for the Labour Party,” assuring the public that efforts were underway to identify “the best prospect” capable of restoring Nigeria “to its glorious days.”
The statement was signed by Obiora Ifoh, National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party.