Datti defends participation in Abure-led LP meeting, says Peter Obi was informed

The 2023 vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Dr. Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has clarified that his decision to attend a recent National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting convened by the Julius Abure-led faction of the party was made with the full knowledge of his principal, Mr. Peter Obi.

Speaking as a guest on The Morning Brief, a Channels Television programme aired on Tuesday, Baba-Ahmed stated that his involvement was part of a broader peace-building initiative aimed at uniting warring factions within the Labour Party.

Describing himself as “a peacemaker on a peace mission,” Baba-Ahmed dismissed claims that his actions were unilateral or unauthorized. He said, “Labour Party is not a party to walk away from, not a party to be abandoned or to be ignored. I assure you that every little step I take, concerned parties are aware.”

While declining to divulge internal details of the party’s strategy, he reiterated that all key figures, including Mr. Obi, were kept in the loop. “I speak with the boss, not with those who move around with him. His Excellency Peter Obi is aware, please,” Baba-Ahmed asserted, in response to questions surrounding the objections raised by some members of the Obidient Movement.

His remarks come on the heels of criticism from the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Yunusa Tanko, who stated that Obi’s core supporters had not been informed about Baba-Ahmed’s attendance at the Abure-led meeting. However, Baba-Ahmed downplayed Tanko’s concerns, describing him as an aide who may not be privy to direct communications with Obi.

The Labour Party has been rocked by an internal leadership crisis, splitting the party into rival factions. While Julius Abure maintains he is the party’s National Chairman, another group, backed by key figures such as Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti, recently appointed Senator Nenadi Usman as Interim National Chairman. Senator Darlington Nwokocha was also named Interim National Secretary.

The emergence of the Usman-led interim working committee has been rejected by the LP National Youth Leader, Kennedy Ahanotu, who described the move as “unconstitutional and illegal,” affirming that the party leadership remains with Abure.

Legal battles have further complicated the leadership tussle. In April, the Supreme Court set aside an earlier ruling by the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which had recognised Julius Abure as the party’s national chairman. The apex court declared that the matter of party leadership falls under internal affairs, over which the judiciary lacks jurisdiction.

The court also ruled in favour of Senator Nenadi Usman and another appellant, stating that their appeal was meritorious. The ruling has emboldened Usman’s supporters, who argue that a restructuring of the party’s leadership is both lawful and necessary.

Amid the factional rift, Baba-Ahmed called on all parties to put aside differences and return to the table for dialogue. “I’m a positive catalyst in this case. I’m bringing people together to unite, understand themselves, and make good efforts again to rescue Nigeria,” he said.

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