Labour Party Faces Mass Defections Amidst Leadership Crisis

The Labour Party, once a rising force in Nigerian politics thanks to the “Peter Obi effect,” is now facing a significant setback.

In the past 18 months, the party has lost several lawmakers, including four who were removed by court rulings, and six others who defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in just the last 10 days.

This exodus is largely attributed to the ongoing leadership crisis within the party, which has created divisions and prompted lawmakers to jump ship to avoid sanctions.

The Labour Party’s internal crisis pits the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Julius Abure against a faction led by Governor Alex Otti of Abia State.

As the party struggles to maintain unity, lawmakers are taking advantage of a constitutional loophole that allows them to defect without losing their seats, citing the party’s internal divisions as justification.

The head of the Labour Party caucus, George Ozodinobi, has warned defecting lawmakers that they will face the consequences of their actions in the 2027 elections.

However, with the party’s ranks dwindling, it remains to be seen whether the Labour Party can recover from this setback and regain its footing in Nigerian politics.