The Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to formally resign his membership following his decision to join the opposition coalition platform under the African Democratic Congress.

Obi was unveiled on Wednesday as one of the major political figures aligning with the new ADC-led coalition formed to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election.

But in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, described the coalition as a gathering of “power mongers” and accused Obi of holding dual political loyalties.

“We are aware of several nocturnal meetings between Peter Obi and some of our members, lobbying them to join him in his new party. We’re also aware that a number of them have refused to defect with him,” Ifoh stated.

According to him, the Labour Party is not part of the coalition and will not entertain individuals with “dual agendas” or “deceptive personas.”

He added, “Labour Party has consistently said it is not part of the coalition and therefore, any of our members who is part of the coalition is given within 48 hours to formally resign his membership of the party.”

Ifoh dismissed the “new Nigeria” mantra often echoed by Obi and his supporters as deceptive and unachievable under what he described as “recycled, desperate, and frustrated politicians.”

He said, “Nearly 70 percent of the Nigerian population are youths who are tired of the old order. The new Nigeria of our dream can only be realised through Labour Party.”

The party spokesman urged LP members to remain loyal, insisting that the Abure-led leadership is committed to building a truly progressive and youth-driven political movement.

Obi had joined forces with political heavyweights including Atiku Abubakar, Nasir El-Rufai, Peter Obi, Rauf Aregbesola, and others under the ADC banner to form what analysts describe as a major third-force alliance ahead of the 2027 election.

The formal unveiling of the coalition leadership on Wednesday saw former Senate President David Mark and Aregbesola named interim chairman and secretary, respectively.