Labour Party chairman Julius Abure criticises NDC leadership over alleged influence of Peter Obi supporters in party decisions
The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, has criticised the leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) over what he described as excessive influence granted to supporters of former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi.
Also read: Kwankwasiyya Denies Kwankwaso Threat to Quit NDC Party
Abure made the remarks in a statement issued on 8 June 2026, while reacting to reports of internal disagreements over the allocation of elective positions within the NDC.
According to him, the decision by the NDC leadership under Senator Seriake Dickson to resist granting all political positions demanded by Obi’s supporters was necessary, based on lessons from the Labour Party’s experience after the 2023 general elections.
He alleged that several politicians who emerged under the Labour Party platform later distanced themselves from the party leadership after securing electoral victories.
“They say history usually repeats itself. Senator Dickson and Co have seen their trajectory and learnt from what happened to us,” Abure said.
Abure further claimed that the Labour Party made significant concessions ahead of the 2023 elections by accommodating many supporters of Peter Obi, including granting them party tickets.
“We only looked at his body language and obliged most of his supporters with tickets. Most of the tickets were given for free because we believed we were investing in those persons,” he stated.
He also accused some elected officials of turning against the party leadership after benefiting from its platform, alleging that internal disputes followed their electoral success.
“All those elected under the party, Obi took them to fight the leadership of the party,” he said.
Abure argued that political parties must maintain balance in sharing influence and positions among stakeholders to prevent internal crisis.
“It is very good for Seriake Dickson not to have given Obi supporters all they needed in the NDC. He needed to bring his own people so that when the chips are down, he will also have people that will speak and defend him,” he added.
The Labour Party chairman also blamed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for contributing to post-election leadership disputes within the party.
He alleged that some internal actors supported claims that the party executives’ tenure had expired, leading to a struggle for control of the party structure.
Also read: Kwankwasiyya Denies Kwankwaso Threat to Quit NDC Party
Abure maintained that his comments were based on public questions about the Labour Party’s handling of its relationship with Peter Obi and his supporters during the 2022/2023 election cycle.
