Peter Obi brought prominence to Labour Party – Julius Abure confesses

Former factional National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, confirmed that the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, significantly raised the party’s profile ahead of the general election.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Tuesday, Abure said Obi’s entry into the Labour Party boosted its national visibility, while noting that the party had already established itself as a viable political force before the former Anambra State governor joined.

Abure described the relationship between the Labour Party and Obi as a “50‑50 contribution,” stating that both parties equally drove the 2023 election success.

He added that Nigerians were already seeking an alternative political platform, and the Labour Party offered a credible structure that attracted Obi and other politicians.

Abure recalled that the party had achieved milestones prior to Obi’s arrival, including producing a governor and other elected officials.

He also mentioned that prominent politicians such as Pat Utomi and Alex Otti had joined the party before Obi, underscoring that the Labour Party was already emerging as a third‑force movement in Nigeria’s political landscape.

Abure said: “There’s no gainsaying the fact that Mr. Peter Obi brought prominence to the Labour Party.”

“But to say very clearly, it is a ‘50‑50 contribution’. Nigerians were determined to have an alternative political platform to the other platforms. I want to believe that we created and made the platform available. We created that opportunity, and we brought our own credibility and platform to the party.”

“I’m sure that that was what Peter Obi saw that attracted him to the party. The party wasn’t completely empty.”

“You recall that the party had once had a governor before. We have had elected office holders before.”

“And let me say this very clearly: even before Peter Obi came, a lot of prominent Nigerians had already joined the party. So, it was very clear that the party was already becoming the third‑force political party in Nigeria before Peter Obi came.”

“Don’t forget that politicians like Pat Utomi, Alex Otti and some other political heavyweights had already joined the party before Peter Obi joined.”

“But I want to agree completely that he brought prominence, and we also complemented that. And that was what resulted in what we had in the 2023 general election.”