Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has called on his supporters to vote for candidates of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Saturday’s by-elections across 16 states.
In a post on his official X account yesterday, the former Anambra State governor explained that his directive was prompted by the absence of LP candidates on the ballot, a situation he attributed to an ongoing leadership crisis within the party. Obi said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not recognised any LP candidate for the polls.
The by-elections, scheduled for August 16, 2025, will cover two senatorial districts, five House of Representatives seats, and nine state assembly constituencies. Obi urged members of the “Obidient” movement and the Coalition for Peter Obi Democratic Movement (COPDEM) to support the ADC, which is part of a coalition he is currently aligned with.
He stated that this strategic move is necessary to ensure the continuity of the political struggle to reform Nigeria’s governance system, even in the face of internal party setbacks. Obi’s message to supporters stressed unity and tactical voting as a way to maintain political influence despite the LP’s absence from the ballot.
The crisis within the Labour Party deepened earlier this month when INEC released its candidate list on August 2 without any LP names. This exclusion triggered a protest march to INEC headquarters in Abuja last week by members loyal to the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC). The candidates affected by the omission were those who had emerged from primaries conducted under Abure’s leadership.
On August 5, the faction of the LP led by Nenadi Usman publicly commended INEC for rejecting the Abure-submitted list of candidates. The Usman-led group claimed it represents the party’s lawful leadership and expressed confidence that the commission would eventually publish its own list of “authentic” candidates.
Obi, along with Abia State governor and the LP’s only elected governor, Alex Otti, has thrown his support behind the Nenadi Usman faction. This endorsement has further solidified the political divide within the party, as both factions continue to battle for legitimacy.
The Abure-led group, however, has criticised INEC’s actions. On August 12, its national publicity secretary, Obiora Ifoh, warned that the elections could be nullified if the party’s candidates remain excluded. Citing provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, Ifoh argued that any political party unlawfully excluded from an election has the right to seek legal redress.
Ifoh also accused INEC of working in favour of anti-democratic interests, suggesting that the decision to leave LP candidates off the ballot was politically motivated. He called on the commission to reverse its stance to avoid a legal battle that could disrupt the electoral process.
Meanwhile, the ADC stands to gain politically from Obi’s endorsement, potentially attracting votes from LP supporters across multiple states. With the Labour Party sidelined, the by-elections present a test of the opposition’s ability to coordinate across party lines and sustain momentum toward broader political objectives.
The outcome of Saturday’s polls could influence future alliances and political strategies, especially for Obi and his allies, as they navigate Nigeria’s increasingly fragmented opposition landscape. The internal disputes within the LP also raise questions about the party’s readiness for upcoming electoral contests, including the 2027 general elections.
INEC has yet to respond to the latest calls for candidate reinstatement, and the agency maintains that its actions are guided strictly by legal compliance and recognition of a party’s legitimate leadership. The electoral body’s decision in this matter will likely set a precedent for how internal party disputes are handled ahead of future elections.
