JUST IN: LP’s Crisis Festers As Top LP Leader Reveals How Abure Disobeyed Peter Obi

Yinusa Tanko, the chief spokesperson for the Obi-Datti campaign organisation, has condemned the ongoing crisis within the Labour Party.

He suggested that the rift could have been averted had the party’s leadership led by headed by Julius Abure heeded the advice of Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections.

Tanko expressed his views during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, stressing that the recently concluded national convention, which saw the re-election of Abure as the national chairman, lacked inclusivity.

He emphasized Peter Obi’s efforts to mediate the situation, stating: “His Excellency, Peter Obi, has made a concerted effort in trying to intervene at any point we have this particular issue and trying to improve.”

Tanko detailed Obi’s recommendations for broader consultations with various stakeholders, including the TUC, NLC, and young leaders, to foster unity and progress within the party.

He added, “He (Obi) suggested to the national chairman that because we are bigger now, we need to have a wider consultation: meet with responsible and interested people such as the TUC and NLC, stakeholders, the Obidient group – young generation people who are interested in seeing Nigeria work.”

Tanko underscored Obi’s engagement with party leaders and members of the National Assembly to offer constructive ideas for improvement.

He also acknowledged Obi’s efforts, saying: “You can only take a horse to the river, but you cannot force it to drink water, so that’s exactly what Peter Obi has done, he has done so greatly to see if we can find a solution to some of the problems we find ourselves.”

Regarding the national convention and Abure’s re-election, Tanko highlighted the importance of adhering to inclusive processes, expressing concern that the convention did not align with agreements for inclusivity from the ward to the national level.

He said: “The convention held in Nnewi Anambra State that returned Abure as the party’s leader did not conform with that agreement and therefore was not acceptable to everyone within the party.”

Tanko addressed concerns about the party’s internal strife affecting Obi’s future political endeavors, asserting that Obi’s reputation transcends party affiliations.

He concluded by saying: “Obi is a brand of his own and that he and other people will always move with him wherever he goes to.”

The controversy surrounding the Labour Party’s recent convention, where Abure was re-elected as National Chairman despite objections, further complicates the situation. The NLC had called for Abure’s resignation and raised doubts about the convention’s legitimacy, echoing concerns from INEC and the party’s Board of Trustees.