Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate from last year’s election, has issued a response to Barrister Julius Abure’s recent accusations of betrayal.
According to Daily Trust, Abure, during a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the party on Monday, accused Obi and Dr. Alex Otti, the party’s sole governor from Abia State, of conspiring against him. Abure alleged that they organized a stakeholders meeting in Umuahia, Abia State, which led to the election of a 29-man caretaker committee headed by former Minister of Finance, Mrs. Esther Nenadi Usman. This committee was tasked with addressing the party’s internal crisis.
In a statement relayed through Comrade Ibrahim Umar, spokesperson for Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR), Obi expressed disappointment over Abure’s accusations. Umar criticized Abure’s claims as politically motivated and misleading.
“We are disappointed, though not surprised, by Abure’s false betrayal accusations against Mr. Peter Obi. This appears to be a deliberate attempt to mislead the public. The stakeholders meeting held in Umuahia was aimed at resolving the ongoing leadership crisis and finding a constructive path forward. The decision was never personal,” Umar stated.
Umar further accused Abure of defaming Obi’s character and of resisting the resolution efforts meant to address misunderstandings within the party. He emphasized that the Obidient Movement stands in full support of the stakeholders’ decisions, which are driven by principles of unity, justice, and transparency.
He also addressed Abure’s tenure and his refusal to step down, stating, “Abure’s term ends in June, but he refuses to relinquish his position and has vowed to continue fighting. While we understand his desperation for power, it is time for him to prioritize the party’s interests over personal ambitions. We will not resort to name-calling or character assassination. Instead, we urge Abure to accept the results of the intervention led by Mr. Peter Obi and Governor Alex Otti, which were aimed at resolving conflicts and moving the party forward.”
