The Labour Party’s 2023 Vice-Presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has refuted claims that former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, has exited the party.
Speaking to journalists after the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja—an event observed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)—Baba-Ahmed dismissed the circulating reports as false.
“To the best of our knowledge, our brother, His Excellency Peter Obi, is still a member of the Labour Party. Nothing has changed. If he were here now, I would have shifted my seat to the left for him,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed added that the Labour Party had weathered its internal challenges and was now positioned for progress.
He described INEC’s presence at the NEC meeting as a significant affirmation of the party’s legitimacy.
“The Labour Party has not reduced in any way. We have only increased in numbers. But with the submission of our leader, the National Secretary, we have gone through rough times, as is usual with political associations, and have emerged from it.
“The highlight and major turning point of this NEC meeting is the presence of INEC, which validates this sitting and justifies our presence here. As law-abiding citizens, we strictly go by what the law provides.”
Baba-Ahmed also emphasized the party’s renewed commitment to reconciliation ahead of its future political engagements.
“This is a renewed drive for reconciliation, and I am here as a loyal party member to continue to open our arms to embrace new and existing members, to come back and reconcile with the party for the national assignment ahead of us,” he added.
