The Labour Party (LP) national caretaker committee, led by Senator Nenadi Usman, has stated its support for the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in participating in ongoing coalition talks with some opposition leaders in the country.

Mr Obi, who recently hinted at a 2027 comeback under the LP platform, was seen on Sunday attending a meeting with a coalition of opposition political leaders — including Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), among others.

However, the Julius Abure-led faction of the LP has opposed the move, claiming that Mr Obi lacks the authority to negotiate any sort of coalition on behalf of the party ahead of the 2027 polls.

Mr Abure’s faction said the LP’s presidential candidate’s continued association with the coalition is not only “distasteful but also unacceptable” to the party, describing the alliance as an affront to party leadership.

But in a statement on Monday, issued by Ken Eluma Asogwa, the senior special adviser, media, to Mr Usman, the Labour Party said it expressly endorsed Mr Obi’s participation in the coalition movement.

According to the party, Mr Obi has maintained its position on the coalition, which it explained is solely focused on eradicating hunger, insecurity, and bad governance in the country.

“To be clear, the National Caretaker Committee of the Labour Party, under the able leadership of Distinguished Senator Nenadi Usman, expressly approved and endorsed Peter Obi’s participation in the ongoing patriotic convergence of well-meaning Nigerians committed to dismantling the rudderless Tinubu administration.

 “It is worth reiterating that Obi has consistently maintained that his interest lies solely in a coalition focused on eradicating hunger, insecurity, and poor governance — a vision that aligns squarely with the founding principles and aspirations of the Labour Party.

 “It is, therefore, baffling that individuals who have been shown the exit door for their anti-party activities now seek to question a move so clearly rooted in national interest. One is left wondering whose agenda Julius Abure and his cohorts have truly been advancing. Is it that they disagree with Obi and the Labour Party that Nigeria is presently facing an unprecedented crisis requiring collective action to salvage?”

The party explained that it wholeheartedly welcomes the coalition movement driven by the Nigerian people, while reaffirming Mr Obi’s right to contest the 2027 elections under the party’s platform should the ongoing coalition efforts fail to materialise.