In a bold move, Faduri Oluwadare Joseph, a former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), has thrown down the gauntlet to Peter Obi, the party’s 2023 presidential hopeful, challenging him to rally the party members or step aside.
There have been two conflicting factions within the party led by Julius Abure and Apapa Lamidi, each vying for control of the national chairmanship.
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has also staked a claim in the LP, further complicating the power struggle.
Amidst this turmoil, Abure secured a controversial reelection during a national convention held in Anambra State.
Issuing a statement on Friday, Faduri called on Obi to prevent the party from crumbling and instead, strengthen it as a viable opposition party in the country.
Faduri emphasized, “It is time to put aside our differences and collaborate for the greater good of our nation. In my view, our nation is experiencing abundance in all aspects but lacks essential elements for progress.”
“If Peter Obi cannot foster unity within the party, he should be willing to step down. I implore all patriotic Nigerians to come to the aid of our party so we can in turn rescue the nation. The people of Nigeria are counting on us,” Faduri added.
“The Labour Party stands as the beacon of hope for those seeking an alternative. Thus, we must usher in a new era of leadership to drive the country forward,” he remarked.
Faduri concluded, “Should the LP leaders fail to find common ground, I urge them to relinquish their positions and allow us to revamp the party with the support of NLC and grassroots Nigerians, gearing up to challenge any entity or government by 2027.”