A new chapter in the Labour Party crisis is unfolding as Dr Yusuf Baba-Ahmed, running mate to Peter Obi in the 2023 presidential election, has thrown his weight behind Julius Abure’s leadership a move that puts him at odds with his former principal.
Speaking during a national television appearance on Wednesday, Baba-Ahmed confirmed that Abure remains the recognised National Chairman of the Labour Party, citing the Supreme Court’s ruling and the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) continued engagement with the faction.
The declaration signals a growing rift within the party, as Baba-Ahmed also revealed his ambition to run for president in 2027. He made the announcement at the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held by the Abure-led faction in Abuja on Monday.
His alignment with Abure contrasts sharply with the position of Peter Obi, who is known to back a rival faction led by Nenadi Usman and reportedly supported by Abia State Governor Alex Otti. That group, which recently held a separate NEC meeting in Umuahia, reappointed Usman as acting chairman.
While acknowledging his presence at the Umuahia gathering, Baba-Ahmed stressed that INEC’s recognition of Abure puts the legal legitimacy of the Usman-led faction in question unless overturned by another Supreme Court interpretation.
He said: “Right now, INEC has been dealing with Julius Abure. So, as far as the law is concerned, it is in order to relate with Abure. If the Supreme Court gives another interpretation favouring Nenadi Usman, then the law is the law.”
According to The Nation, Baba-Ahmed accused unnamed powerful forces of manipulating the Labour Party, stating that members were being “remote-controlled and played with”.
