Thursday, July 23, 2026

Pat Utomi, two others step down as Peter Obi emerges Labour Party candidate

Mr Obi emerged as the winner unopposed, as his three co-aspirants, Pat Utomi, Faduri Joseph and Olubusola Emmanuel-Tella stepped down, pledging their support to him.

• May 30, 2022
Peter Obi and Pat Utomi
Peter Obi and Pat Utomi

Former governor of Anambra state, Peter Obi, has won the presidential primary election of the Labour Party, making him the flag bearer of the party ahead of the 2023 presidential elections.

The primary election was held in Asaba, capital of Delta state, on Monday, with 185 delegates participating in the exercise. 

Mr Obi emerged as the winner unopposed, as his three co-aspirants including renowned political economist, Pat Utomi, Faduri Joseph and Olubusola Emmanuel-Tella stepped down, pledging their support to him. 

Mr Obi who had garnered significant support on social media decamped from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) days to the presidential primaries of the main opposition party. He said certain situations made it impossible to ‘contribute constructively’ to nation building under the party.

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