Julius Abure says his faction will not back Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi in 2027, leaving its next political alignment dependent on a Supreme Court dispute over Labour Party leadership.
BusinessDay reported Monday, Nov. 2, that Abure made the comments in an interview with Punch on Sunday, Nov. 1. The outlet described the case as a contest between Abure’s faction and the party’s current leadership. Abure is the Labour Party’s immediate past national chairman.
Abure said his group has not begun talks with other candidates. He said any potential partner must share its ideology and be “sellable.”
He accused Obi of wasting political backing and organizational capacity that had been available to him before the 2023 election. Abure also argued that Obi’s conduct within the Labour Party should inform assessments of his ability to lead Nigeria.
BusinessDay reported that the party’s leadership split intensified in September 2024 after it appointed Nenadi Usman to lead a caretaker committee. The outlet said Usman was elected substantive national chair in April 2026.
Abure said his camp would consult supporters and weigh offers from interested parties if the Supreme Court had not ruled by the end of November.
