Chairperson of the Labour Party in Lagos State, Dayo Ekong, has criticised the 2023 presidential candidate of the party, Peter Obi, over his recent political affiliations and choices.
Obi, who enjoyed massive support from Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora ahead of the last presidential election, has been criticised for his inability to settle the crises rocking the Labour Party at the national level, as well as his decision to join forces with the opposition in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), to which some of Nigeria’s political heavyweights blamed for some of the problems facing the country have defected to.
Ekong, in a statement she shared on her X page on Tuesday, said Obi’s rising profile in 2023 was not just about his personality but a combination of party structures, grassroots mobilisation and public desire for change.
The Labour Party chair in Lagos noted that “grace” which carried Obi then is now 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.”
Ekong said the endorsements of the former Anambra State governor have failed to deliver victories, citing recent elections as evidence of his weakening political weight.
She also cited the 2024 Edo governorship election, where Obi supported Olumide Akpata, the LP candidate, against the preference of party leaders.
Despite Obi’s rallies in Benin, the Edo State capital, and other places, Akpata lost to Monday Okpebholo, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ekong said the outcome showed Obi’s support no longer guarantees results.
She also recalled the 2023 Imo governorship election, where Obi campaigned for Athan Achonu of the LP, who was defeated by APC’s Hope Uzodimma.
“Back-to-back failures in Imo and Edo should raise questions about Obi’s political strategy,” she said.
The Lagos LP chairperson said the “most embarrassing blow” came during the recent Anambra by-election.
She said Obi abandoned the LP candidate and backed Justina Azuka of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the Onitsha North 1 Constituency seat.
According to her, Obi even wore an ADC-branded cap during the campaign, but the party polled only 1,909 votes, while LP also fared poorly in the by-election.
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), without Obi’s support, won comfortably with 7,774 votes.
Ekong quoted Chukwuma Soludo, Anambra governor, as saying the results marked the “death” of both LP and ADC in the state.
She noted that Obi’s political missteps have made him lose credibility even in his stronghold.
“A wise politician should know when to stop and think deeply about the direction he is heading,” she said.
Ekong urged Obi to end his fights with LP leadership and focus on rebuilding trust.
“We openly criticised Wike for his PDP/APC antics, yet we look away from Obi’s LP/ADC antics,” she added.
“The electorate are watching and slowly making up their minds about 2027.”
