A chieftain of the Labour Party (LP) and Founder of the Obidient Peace and Reconciliation Group, Marcel Ngogbehei, has called for the reconciliation of the party’s significant actors to make it virile before the 2027 general election.
He said this in reaction to the Federal High Court judgement on Tuesday (October 8, 2024), which recognised BJulius Abure as the authentic National Chairman of the LP.
Ngogbehei, the Director General of the Labour Party Directorate on Mobilisation and Integration, said it was time for actors to sheath their swords and begin rebuilding towards 2027.
“The recent court judgement is for the good of all and has put to rest the leadership crisis in our party. And I think everyone who played a role on either side has a genuine concern, which has now been laid to rest.
“There was an initial concern that INEC rejecting the Abure-led NWC might invalidate a Labour Party candidate’s electoral victory in 2027, and concerned stakeholders moved in good faith to set up a caretaker committee to ensure this risk is mitigated.’’
Anyone thinking far ahead enough will most likely do the same thing”, Ngogbehei said in a statement.
He also said the Federal High Court ruling had given respite and confidence across boards and ushered in lasting peace. It was time for party stakeholders to come together and build towards 2027.
“The Labour Party under Barrister Abure, H. E Peter Obi and the Obedient Movement need to work together now to rescue the suffering masses from the claws of APC. Recall that the Obedient and LP Peace and Reconciliation Group is a coming together of Labour Party faithful and Obidients.
“The LP Directorate, under my leadership, will continue to work with the OHC and Obedient Movement National Coordinating Committee to see that Obidients come under one umbrella, re-energised and continue to work with the Barr. Abure led NWC in a mutually beneficial partnership that will see a better outing in 2027.
“The task ahead of the Directorate now is to reach out to all concerned to see that all 2023 structures are consolidated, enhanced and ready for 2027 and will touch all corners of Nigeria and the Diaspora.”
“We believe that both the Labour Party & Obidients have to come to a consensus and agree to work together for any meaningful progress in the 2027 elections.
“I want to plead with H. E Peter Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti not to succumb to pressures from strange places to leave the Labour Party as this is a trap. I’m also pleading with other party faithful to come together and let us consolidate for 2027. We are all better together, and I know we all want to see a Nigeria that works for all through the leadership of H.E Peter Obi”, he added.