After Edo, Anambra Losses, Obi Told His Political Capital is Depleting

A senior official within Nigeria’s Labour Party (LP) has publicly called for the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, to “pause and reflect” on his political strategy, stating that his influence is “dwindling” after a series of electoral defeats.

The comments from Dayo Ekong, the chairperson of the LP in Lagos, mark a significant public criticism of Mr Obi from within his own party structure.

In a statement posted on her X page on Tuesday, Ekong argued that Obi’s remarkable rise in popularity during the last general election was “not just about his personality but a combination of party structures, grassroots mobilisation and public desire for change.” She now contends that this “grace” is “fading because of his divisive choices and inconsistent political moves.”

“In 2023, Nigerians rallied behind him because he represented a fresh alternative,” Ekong wrote. “But today, his actions are beginning to erode the foundation of that support.”

She pointed to the recent Edo State governorship election, where Mr Obi campaigned extensively for the LP candidate, Olumide Akpata, who was defeated by the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate.

She also cited the 2023 Imo State governorship election, where the LP candidate Mr Obi supported lost to the incumbent.

“Back-to-back failures in Imo and Edo should raise questions about Obi’s political strategy,” she said.

Ms Ekong described the “most embarrassing blow” as occurring during a recent by-election in Anambra State for the Onitsha North 1 constituency seat. She accused Mr Obi of abandoning the LP candidate to campaign for Justina Azuka of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), noting that Mr Obi even wore an ADC-branded cap during the campaign.

The ADC candidate polled only 1,909 votes, while the LP also fared poorly. The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) won the seat comfortably with 7,774 votes. Ms Ekong quoted Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo as saying the results marked the “death” of both LP and ADC in the state.

“A wise politician should know when to stop and think deeply about the direction he is heading,” Ms Ekong advised. She urged Mr Obi to end his disputes with the national leadership of the LP and focus on rebuilding trust.

In a pointed comparison, she added: “We openly criticised Nyesom Wike for his PDP/APC antics, yet we look away from Obi’s LP/ADC antics. The electorate are watching and slowly making up their minds about 2027.”