Peter Obi Still In Labour Party, NEC Ratifies Nnewi Convention As Baba-Ahmed Dismisses Exit Rumours

A former vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Datti Baba-Ahmed, on Friday confirmed that former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi remains a member of the party, dismissing reports suggesting otherwise.

Speaking to journalists after the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, which was observed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Baba-Ahmed said, “To the best of our knowledge, our brother, His Excellency Peter Obi, is still a member of the Labour Party. Nothing has changed. If he were here now, I would have shifted my seat to the left for him.”

Baba-Ahmed described the NEC gathering as a turning point for reconciliation and progress within the party, noting that it had emerged stronger from internal disputes. He also hailed INEC’s presence at the meeting as a validation of the proceedings.

“The Labour Party has not reduced in any way. We have only increased in numbers. With the submission of our leader, the National Secretary, we have gone through rough times, as is usual with political associations, and have emerged from it,” he said.

He linked the party’s vision to national concerns, commenting on rising insecurity in the country. “Only two days ago, a state of national emergency was declared in Nigeria. We had warned that such outcomes were likely if the wrong leadership was elected. Nigerians voted en masse for change, yet school abductions and public killings of senior army officers are now occurring. These would never have happened if the Labour Party had formed the government of Nigeria,” he added.

Baba-Ahmed reaffirmed the LP’s commitment to workers’ welfare, describing decent and realistic living wages as a cornerstone of the party’s policies.

The NEC meeting, chaired by National Chairman Julius Abure, was part of efforts to resolve the leadership tussle triggered by the controversial 2024 national convention in Nnewi, Anambra State, which had split the party into rival camps backed by Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti.

During the meeting, the NEC ratified the 2024 Nnewi National Convention, paving the way for ward, local government, and state congresses across the country. The communique, signed by Abure and National Secretary Umar Ibrahim, affirmed that the convention was valid and aligned with the Supreme Court’s decision empowering the party to manage its internal affairs.

The NEC reiterated the non-justiciability of internal party disputes, citing legal doctrine that political parties are corporate entities bound by their constitutions, rules, and internal dispute resolution mechanisms.

Those confirmed in office at the Nnewi convention include the 17-member National Working Committee, with Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Farouk as National Secretary, Chief Clement Ojukwu, Dr. Ayo Olorunfemi, and Dr. Esther Gulmu as Deputy National Chairmen, and Obiora Ifoh as National Publicity Secretary, among others.

The NEC also approved the filling of vacant positions, including Oluwafemi Abayomi Arabambi as National Vice Chairman South West, Prince Favour Reuben as Assistant National Organising Secretary, and Barr. Enu Kikanwa as Assistant National Woman Leader South South.

The party mandated the National Chairman and Secretary to convene a Special Convention if necessary and ratified plans for ward, local government, and state congresses across the federation.

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