Jonathan Nwokpor
The present crisis within the party is being heightened by a power struggle between former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi and Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, sources disclosed yesterday.
“Governor Otti is expected to be the leader of the party, being the highest-ranking elected figure in the party. But, Obidients believe that Obi is there and he played his role during the last elections,” a party insider stated.
The two influential figures are at odds because their supporters have different ideas about who should lead the party after the election.
“While there is no personal feud between the two chieftains, their followers are locked in conflict over who should be the national leader of the party in the post-election period,” the source explained.
As per LP tradition, the highest-ranking elected public person assumes the party’s leadership. Many in the party feel Otti ought to be the party leader by default because he is the only LP governor.
The former Anambra State governor should lead the party, according to Obi supporters, especially the “Obidients,” who largely support the party because of Obi’s involvement.
“The bulk of supporters – Obidients – believe that going to Umuahia means dishonoring Obi. The governor of Abia thinks that this is not a good narrative,” the source added.
The LP had initially planned to hold the convention in Umuahia, but plans were changed in response to strong protests from Obi supporters. Obi’s hometown of Nnewi, Anambra State, where he held two terms as governor, will now host the conference.
“We agreed to go to Nnewi. We don’t want to cancel March 27. The NEC meeting in Asaba last year gave us one year to hold a convention,” the source emphasized.
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