Adewale Adeoye, the Executive Director of Journalists for Democratic Rights (JODER), has addressed the difficulties confronting the Labour Party (LP) amidst allegations of internal discord and political strategizing.
His comments were prompted by assertions from political commentator and activist Deji Adeyanju, who alleged that the LP had clandestinely formed an alliance with President Bola Tinubu in anticipation of the 2027 elections.
In an interview with TVC News, Adeoye dismissed this claim, providing a more detailed analysis of the party’s internal dynamics and its future outlook.
Adeoye indicated that the LP is currently experiencing a schism between its original members and the new entrants who joined following Peter Obi’s presidential campaign in 2023.
He cautioned that this division represents a significant threat to the party’s cohesion and long-term viability.
Adeoye emphasized that if the LP does not address these conflicting factions, it risks becoming irrelevant in Nigeria’s political arena.
A particularly notable aspect of Adeoye’s remarks was his evaluation of Peter Obi’s pivotal role in the LP’s current visibility.
“There’s nothing in LP without Peter Obi, and I don’t think he’ll be there in 2027,” Adeoye stated, highlighting the extent to which the party depends on Obi’s popularity and influence.
He further speculated that Obi may not remain with the party by 2027, which would leave the LP struggling to sustain its relevance without the political figure who significantly contributed to its rise to national prominence.