Labour Party Crisis Explodes as Datti Confirms Obi Approved NEC Attendance
By: IDNN Politics Desk
The internal wrangling rocking Nigeria’s Labour Party has intensified, with the party’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, revealing that his attendance at the Julius Abure-led National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting was sanctioned by his principal, Peter Obi.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday, Baba-Ahmed described himself as a “peacemaker” on a reconciliation mission, insisting:
“Labour Party is not a party to walk away from, not to be ignored. Every little step I take, concerned parties are aware. I assure you, Peter Obi is aware.”
The party, already split between factions loyal to Abure and a newly installed interim leadership led by Senator Nenadi Usman, is grappling with legitimacy battles, Supreme Court reversals, and growing discontent from the Obidient movement.
While Yunusa Tanko, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, claimed Obi’s supporters were unaware of Datti’s actions, Baba-Ahmed was unfazed:
“I speak with the boss, not with those who move around him… Obi is aware.”
Court Judgement Fuels Further Crisis
The Supreme Court had previously ruled that issues of party leadership fall under internal affairs, stripping lower courts of jurisdiction. This legal nuance has left both the Abure and Usman factions claiming legitimacy.
While figures like Governor Alex Otti have publicly backed the interim leadership under Usman, Labour’s youth wing under Kennedy Ahanotu insists that Abure remains national chairman.
As the legal dust settles, the soul of the Labour Party hangs in the balance, with Datti’s diplomatic pivot casting fresh light on the power dynamics within Nigeria’s third force.
“I’m a positive catalyst,” Datti said. “Bringing people together to rescue Nigeria is the mission.”
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