Usman further stated that Peter Obi’s participation in the coalition had the full blessing of the party's legitimate leadership.

The acting National Chairman of a Labour Party (LP) faction, Nenadi Usman, has declared full support for the decision of the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to join an opposition coalition spearheaded by former Senate President, David Mark.

In a statement issued on Thursday through her aide, Ken Asogwa, Usman described the faction led by Julius Abure as "political jesters with no legitimate standing in the Labour Party" - a statement which further polarises the party amid its internal crisis.

She said those issuing a 48-hour ultimatum to Obi to quit the party are acting outside the bounds of legality and party structure, insisting that Abure and his group have been sacked by the Supreme Court of Nigeria, and remain suspended from the party over serial acts of indiscipline and anti-party activities.

Usman further stated that Peter Obi’s participation in the coalition had the full blessing of the party's legitimate leadership.

The acting LP chair said, “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.

“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.

“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. Therefore, members of the public, and especially the media, are urged to disregard the distractions and mischief from these discredited elements.”

Leaders and members of the opposition coalition had on Wednesday met in Abuja and announced the African Democratic Party (ADC) as the platform for the 2027 election.

They selected former Senate President, David Mark, and ex-Osun governor, Rauf Aregbesola, as the interim National Chair and Secretary respectively.

Aside from Obi, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai; former Rivers governor Rotimi Amaechi, and many others were present at the meeting.

Others include; Dino Melaye, Solomon Dalong, Dele Momodu, Gabriel Suswam, Ireti Kingibe, Emeka Ihedioha, Sadique Abubakar.

Recall that the factions of the Labour Party (LP) led by Lamidi Apapa and Julius Abure earlier issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Peter Obi, demanding his resignation for joining the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The ultimatum was contained in separate statements issued on Thursday by the factions’ National Publicity Secretaries, Dr Abayomi Arabambi (for the Apapa-led faction) and Obiora Ifoh (for the Abure-led faction).

This came as Obi, who has been at the forefront of the coalition, released a brief statement on the launch of the coalition on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday morning.

The Labour Party’s former presidential candidate said, “Yesterday, the coalition members formally adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 Nigeria General Elections with Distinguished Senator David Mark serving as the National Chairman and H.E. Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola serving as the National Secretary.

“Our commitment is to sacrifice and work together towards the 2027 General Elections, ensuring that Nigeria gets a competent, capable, and compassionate leadership that will prioritise the nation’s future by putting the welfare of Nigerians first.” 

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