A factional National Secretary of the Labour Party (LP), Umar Farouk, has issued a stern warning to the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, cautioning that continued engagement with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) could cost him the LP’s 2027 presidential ticket.
Speaking during an interview with Trust TV, Farouk declared that the Labour Party’s presidential ticket is open to all qualified aspirants and is not reserved for any individual, including Obi. He emphasized that Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, Obi’s running mate in the 2023 election, is equally qualified to vie for the presidency under the party’s platform.
“The seat of that candidacy is not reserved for anybody. It is open for a competitive contest,” Farouk stated. “If Datti is willing to aspire for the presidency and he wants to do that under the Labour Party, we will open it. He can buy the form, mobilise support, and compete.”
Farouk’s comments come amid growing speculation over Obi’s political alignment following his involvement with the ADC and other opposition figures in talks of a possible coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to Farouk, such political cross-engagements may have consequences within the Labour Party. “There’s no way you’ll continue to romance with other political parties and then still keep one leg in the Labour Party. From the outset, you may be disqualified,” he warned.
This development follows a recent public statement by Baba-Ahmed, who expressed readiness to run for the presidency if Obi decides not to contest. However, he also reiterated his loyalty to Obi, describing him as deserving of another shot at the presidency under the Labour Party banner.
Despite the emerging internal rift, the party is yet to make an official declaration on the modalities for selecting its 2027 presidential candidate. But Farouk’s remarks signal potential turbulence ahead, as the Labour Party positions itself within Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.
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