Labour Party Crisis Escalates as Nenadi Usman’s Faction Backs Peter Obi’s Defection to ADC-Led Coalition

The internal crisis rocking Nigeria’s Labour Party has taken a new turn, as a faction led by Acting National Chairman Senator Nenadi Usman has thrown its full support behind Peter Obi’s participation in a new opposition coalition spearheaded by former Senate President David Mark.

In a statement issued Thursday by her aide, Ken Asogwa, Usman dismissed the Julius Abure-led faction as illegitimate, describing its members as “political jesters” without any legal authority within the party.

She reaffirmed that Peter Obi’s involvement in the newly formed coalition now rallying under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was approved and endorsed by the party’s legitimate leadership. “We publicly declared our support for Mr. Obi’s coalition involvement as far back as May 26, 2025,” the statement read.

Usman also condemned a 48-hour ultimatum issued to Obi by the rival Apapa and Abure factions, calling it a desperate act by “suspended impostors” who, according to her, were removed by a Supreme Court ruling for indiscipline and anti-party activities.

The opposition coalition, which officially adopted the ADC as its platform for the 2027 general elections, appointed David Mark as interim National Chairman and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as Secretary.

Other political heavyweights at the coalition meeting included former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, Dino Melaye, Dele Momodu, and Ireti Kingibe.

Peter Obi confirmed the coalition’s launch on X (formerly Twitter), stating the alliance is focused on delivering credible, compassionate leadership in 2027.

Meanwhile, factions loyal to Lamidi Apapa and Julius Abure continue to reject Obi’s move, insisting he must resign from the Labour Party.

As tensions rise, the battle for the party’s soul appears far from over, deepening the fractures within Nigeria’s opposition landscape ahead of a crucial election cycle.