I won’t leave Labour Party, Peter Obi declares

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has said he is not leaving the party.

O I made this declaration in a statement while clarifyinghis comments on the directorate of ObIdients movement created by the national chairman of the party, Julius Abure.

The former Anambra state governor in a series of posts on his X.com handle on Thursday said his position on the Obidient Movement was to clarify issues that are of concern to his supporters.

He said: “For the avoidance of doubt, ‘I remain a committed, Loyal Labour Party member’. That is my definitive response to all Nigerians who may be in doubt about my party affiliation in the light of recent reports and conflicting interpretations of recent political expressions.

“I have just been confronted by a Journalist at Abuja airport wanting to know if my statement on Obidient Movement yesterday is a signal of my leaving the Labour Party. For the attention of all those holding such an impression and for the general public, I remain a faithful, committed and loyal member of the Labour Party.

“Indeed as a Leader of the party, my aspiration, and desire working closely with other Leaders is to reconcile our valued members, and partner with like minds, and parties all over the country to build a strong and better Party that will catalyse and commence the rebuilding of a new Nigeria.

“My statement yesterday was intended to clarify some issues that are of concern to our teeming supporters some of whom are not members of any political party but are desirous for a new Nigeria. Our goal and aspirations remain that a new Nigeria is POssible.”

Obi had in his Wednesday’s night statement boasted that his ‘Obidient’ movement is far more than any political party in the country.

According to Obi, anyone claiming to be at the helm of affairs of what he described as a “non-existent directorate” is not a member of the ‘Obidient’ movement.

He said the movement was more than a mere political party void of ethnic and religious affiliations.

The comment by the former governor of Anambra state generated controversy on social media, forcing him to clarify that he remained a “faithful, committed, and loyal member of the Labour Party.”

Obi had said: “I like to categorically state that the Obidient Movement is not a directorate of any particular political party. Any individual or individuals claiming to be leaders of this non-existent directorate are simply not members of the broader Obidient Movement. There may be a youth mobilisation directorate in political parties but the Obidient movement is far beyond a particular political party. The Obidient Movement is a diverse and inclusive collective that transcends traditional political, religious, and ethnic affiliations.

“It is not domiciled within any particular party or headquartered in any particular part of the country. Its membership spans across Africa and the globe, comprising individuals from various backgrounds, including rural communities, and public, private, and corporate entities, united by a shared vision for a New and better Nigeria. Guided by the principles of adaptive and transformative change, progress, discipline, and democratic values, the Obidient Movement advocates for fairness, equity, inclusivity, and justice.”