Datti Baba-Ahmed, former vice-presidential candidate for the Labour Party (LP), confirmed Peter Obi’s continued membership on Friday. He dismissed widespread claims that Obi had left the party.

Baba-Ahmed spoke to journalists in Abuja after a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting. Officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) attended.

The prominent party figure refuted reports of Obi dumping the LP. He stated these allegations lacked any basis.

Baba-Ahmed affirmed that Peter Obi, to their knowledge, remains a Labour Party member. “Nothing has changed,” he emphasized. He added, “If he were here now, I would have shifted my seat to the left for him.”

INEC’s Presence Validates Labour Party Meeting

Baba-Ahmed commended INEC’s presence at the meeting. He called it a symbolic victory, validating the party’s legitimacy.

He noted, “The highlight and major turning point of this NEC meeting is the presence of INEC.” He said this validated their gathering and justified their attendance.

Baba-Ahmed stressed the party’s strict adherence to legal provisions. “We strictly go by what the law provides. As law-abiding citizens, we strictly go by what the law provides,” he emphasized.

Baba-Ahmed asserted that the Labour Party had not diminished. Instead, he stated, “We have only increased in numbers.”

He acknowledged the party had faced “rough times,” common for political associations. However, he explained they had “emerged from it.” He described the NEC session as a renewed drive for reconciliation.

Linking Insecurity to Political Decisions

Addressing national insecurity, Baba-Ahmed linked it to Nigeria’s political choices. He said these decisions contributed significantly to recent crises.

He referenced the national emergency declared just two days earlier. Baba-Ahmed stated the party had previously warned Nigerians and the world that such a situation was likely. He noted, “It is happening now.”

He cited recent security failures. He alleged these would not have occurred under a Labour Party-led government.

Baba-Ahmed claimed Nigerians voted for change, but “something else happened.” He referred to recent events: hundreds of school abductions and public killings of senior army officers. He asserted such incidents were preventable. They would not have happened under a Labour Party government.

Commitment to Workers’ Welfare

Baba-Ahmed also discussed workers’ welfare. He affirmed the LP’s dedication to fair labour standards.

He declared: “It is the birthright of the Labour Party to ensure decent and realistic living wages for all workers.” This commitment would be central to the party’s agenda. This focus extends “from now till 2027 and beyond.”

The NEC meeting on Friday was chaired by Julius Abure, the factional National Chairman. This meeting occurred months after the controversial 2024 Labour Party national convention in Nnewi. That convention had led to a leadership split, creating rival camps among key party figures.