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By Myke Agunwa
There are indications that Datti Baba-Ahmed, the running mate to the Labour Party’s (LP) presidential flagbearer in 2023, Mr. Peter Obi has parted ways with his principal and joined forces with the faction led by Barr. Julius Abure as he attended its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Monday.
Baba-Ahmed had at different fora, expressed doubts on the viability of the coalition being put together by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
He argued that the coalition is packed with politicians interested in grabbing the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) but warned Obi not to serve as a running mate to any candidate as a result of his impressive performance in the 2023 general election.
He had earlier pitched tents with the National Caretaker Committee (NCC) led by Senator Nenadi Usman and Sen. Darlington Nwokocha but in a surprise move, he graced a NEC meeting organized by the Abure faction in Abuja where he indicated interest in contesting the upcoming presidential election under LP.
Speaking at the meeting, Baba-Ahmed said he was ready to reconcile Obi and other stakeholders in the party.
He explained that those who walked away from the party forgot the successes it recorded in the 2023 general election, stating that there is a need to bring everyone back.
“Labour Party is not a party to walk away from. The successes and the history that the Labour Party of Nigeria has recorded are unique and unprecedented.
“We presented clear records and evidence of 10 million votes scored in the last election, thereafter reduced to 6.1 million votes. The Labour Party is not a party to walk away from,” Baba- Ahmed added.
He explained that he has decided to join the Abure-led faction of the party to ensure peace and stability within the opposition party.
“A lot of water has passed under the bridge, and I’m here as a loyal party member. I’m here as a peacemaker and also here to reconcile divergent opinions.
“I’m very proud to say that I did attend meetings of a certain attempt for a coalition in Nigeria. Morally speaking, if your neighbourhood invites you to discuss security, you must attend.
“However, if you attend and they discuss other matters besides that, you are at liberty to restore yourself to your former position.
“I have attended, and I have listened to the coalition attempts, yet I remain in the Labour Party. I am not one to sleepwalk into any political arrangements,” the politician stated.
Meanwhile, the embattled National Chairman has revealed that rather join hands with political spent forces in the coalition, the party would explore the gains it made in the 2023 generation election to ensure it records more wins subsequently.
In a communique signed by Abure and the National Secretary Alh. Farouk Ibrahim, at the end of the NEC meeting, Abure dismissed an earlier NEC meeting convened by the faction loyal to the Abia State governor, Dr. Alex Otti where its National Caretaker Committee led by Sen. Nenadi Usaman and Sen. Darlington Nwokocha was elevated to an interim NEC.
Abure said, “NEC in session reiterates that the Labour Party will not be part of any coalition for the 2027 general election.
“NEC believes the 2023 coalition was more impactful than any other. We will rebuild, reconcile, and consolidate the gains of that election.
“The Labour Party is ideologically distinct, with programs and a philosophy that address Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges.
“We therefore cannot align with politically spent forces who previously mismanaged the nation’s resources and opportunities.”
He stated that the meeting by the Otti faction, violated the LP Constitution and a nullity under the law.
“NEC disassociates from the meeting’s outcomes, including the renaming of the illegal Umuahia Caretaker Committee as an Interim National Working Committee.
“Illegality cannot be legitimised by rebranding. The so-called Interim NWC remains unlawful,” he said.
He further explained that Article 14(4)(B) of the Constitution empowers only the National Secretary, with the Chairman’s approval, to convene meetings.
He insisted that there is no leadership vacuum in the Labour Party.
He added the party held its National Convention on March 27 in Nnewi, in compliance with all legal frameworks and party rules.
“The Supreme Court validated the convention through its ruling delivered on April 4,” he said.
Abure therefore urged the Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu to respect the Supreme Court ruling and related legal opinions.
“Based on this, NEC urges the public to disregard the so-called meeting and its resolutions.
“NEC reaffirms confidence in the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee and calls for continued loyalty to party leadership,” he said.
NEC according to him, approved congresses at state, local government, and ward levels, in line with the party constitution and applicable laws.
He commended Baba-Ahmed for supporting the leadership and declaring his intention to contest the presidential ticket in 2027.