Labour Party Brushes Off Defection Fears as Ceekay Igara says party strength goes beyond Peter Obi ahead of 2027 elections
Ceekay Igara, National Vice Chairman of the Labour Party, has dismissed concerns that recent defections to the African Democratic Congress could weaken the party’s prospects in the 2027 general elections.
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Igara said the party’s performance in 2023 was driven by a solid institutional base rather than the influence of any single individual.
The statement reinforces the Labour Party dismisses defections threat position as political realignments gather pace.
Igara acknowledged the role of Peter Obi in boosting the party’s visibility but argued that the groundwork had already been established before his emergence.
“Peter Obi made tremendous contributions to the popularity of the Labour Party, but it was based on the solid foundation already laid by the party,” he said.
He disclosed that Obi’s candidacy was the result of intense internal negotiations, noting that several aspirants initially resisted his emergence due to his relatively recent entry into the party.
“It was fought very hard to make him the candidate. He was not very popular within the party at the time because he had just joined,” Igara explained.
The party official also linked the surge in youth support during the 2023 elections to broader civic activism, particularly the EndSARS protests movement, which he said aligned with the party’s message and amplified its reach.
On Obi’s reported association with another political platform, Igara said the decisive test would be whether similar electoral momentum could be reproduced elsewhere.
“Now that he has moved on, let us see if what was achieved in 2023 can be replicated on another platform,” he added.
Despite shifting alliances within Nigeria’s opposition space, Igara maintained that the party is focused on strengthening its base ahead of the next election cycle.
He emphasised that electoral success, rather than enthusiasm alone, remains the ultimate benchmark.
Also read: Betty Akeredolu Defends Labour Party Move Fiercely
The remarks come at a critical moment as opposition parties recalibrate strategies and alliances in preparation for the 2027 general elections.
