The Labour Party (LP), which made significant strides in the 2023 elections, appears divided over its approach to the 2027 presidential race.
Former LP National Treasurer, Oluchi Oparah, has strongly criticized the party’s National Chairman, Julius Abure, for advocating an ethnic-based strategy to secure the presidency for the Igbo.
Oparah rejected Abure’s remarks made at a South-East Labour Party rally in Abuja, where he reaffirmed the party’s commitment to backing an Igbo presidency in 2027.
Abure had stated that LP zoned its 2023 presidential ticket to the South-East as a move to “wipe the tears” of the region and urged Igbo leaders to unify their political efforts.
However, Oparah dismissed the approach, warning that framing the presidency as an ethnic entitlement undermines national unity and meritocracy.
“The notion that Ndigbo can only achieve the presidency by exploiting tribal and regional sentiments is not only misguided but also detrimental to our collective progress as a nation,” she stated.
She argued that Mr. Peter Obi’s strong performance in the 2023 elections was a result of his competence, integrity, and vision, not ethnic sentiment.
“Obi’s success was built on his impressive credentials and track record, not on tribal affiliations. If not for electoral irregularities, he could have secured the presidency for the betterment of all Nigerians,” Oparah noted.
She also criticized Abure’s rhetoric as counterproductive, urging the South-East to focus on coalition-building across different ethnic and political groups.
“Ndigbo must focus on building a national movement that prioritizes competence, vision, and leadership over sentiment. Ethnic-based campaign strategies will only alienate potential allies and weaken the chances of an Igbo presidency,” she added.
At the Abuja rally, Abure reiterated that the LP remains a viable platform for the Igbo presidency in 2027 and beyond. He defended the party’s decision to zone its 2023 ticket to the South-East, calling it a response to historical injustices.
“We decided to wipe the tears of the Igbo, and we did so powerfully and courageously in 2023. We have no regrets about our decision,” Abure stated.
However, he urged the Southeast leadership to forge stronger political alliances, drawing comparisons to the Yoruba political strategy that led to their eventual success in securing the presidency.
“The Igbo need more realignment with other sections of the country. The Yoruba once faced similar struggles but overcame them through strategic alliances. The same lesson applies here,” he said.
