Peter Obi and the leadership of the Labour Party have clashed over the party’s participation in Saturday’s bye-elections across 16 states.

Obi, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, publicly urged his supporters to back African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidates, citing the Labour Party’s absence from the ballot due to ongoing internal disputes.

Peter Obi campaigns for ADC for bye-election

In a post on his official X account, he explained that the Labour Party had no recognised candidates for the polls and encouraged members of the “Obidient” and COPDEM movements to vote for ADC in their various constituencies.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the bye-elections for August 16 in two senatorial districts, five federal constituencies and nine state assembly seats.

These elections are being held to fill positions left vacant through deaths, resignations or court rulings.

Obi maintained that supporting ADC was a strategic move to ensure continued political engagement, despite the Labour Party’s internal wrangling.

LP leader slams Obi's 'divisive' move

The factional National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, issued a strongly worded statement dismissing Obi’s directive as “misleading, mischievous and delusional.”

Abure insisted that the party’s candidates were duly recognized by INEC and would be contesting in the bye-elections. He called on party members to disregard Obi’s message and remain committed to voting for Labour Party candidates.

Abure accused Obi of double-dealing in politics and attempting to weaken the party from within.

He alleged that Obi had played a role in creating and funding the leadership crisis in the Labour Party and even led protests against his own party at the INEC headquarters.

According to Abure, the former presidential candidate’s actions revealed “a lack of competence, character and capacity” to deliver on the vision of a new Nigeria.

The Labour Party leadership reaffirmed its readiness to participate in the elections, declaring that its candidates would appear on the ballot despite Obi’s stance.

“Labour Party is on the ballot and our candidates are contesting the election in spite of all his efforts to strangulate the Labour Party,” Abure stated.

The political standoff between Obi and the party leadership adds further tension to an already turbulent season for the Labour Party ahead of the nationwide polls.