Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, a prominent member of the Labour Party (LP), has called for former presidential candidate Peter Obi to rejoin the party, but Vincent Otaokpukpu, a lawyer and director of the Legal Obedience Movement, has rejected the idea.

In an interview with Arise News, he claimed that the demand for Obi to rejoin the LP is not supported by Nigeria’s present election system.

He claims that the Electoral Act’s requirements make it impossible for a politician to openly change parties quickly, especially in the run-up to party primaries.

“At best, Datti Ahmed’s remark is a political assertion that most likely lacks legal support.

“Changing political parties may not be feasible, unless there are legal exceptions,” he clarified.

Otaokpukpu pointed out that although freedom of association is guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution, new election requirements may make it more difficult for parties to move around and participate in primaries.

“If any member… is not contained in the register submitted to INEC… such a fellow will not be eligible to vote and be voted for,” he stated, alluding to the specifications for party membership lists.

He contended that these clauses might be in violation with fundamental rights, especially Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which protects the right to join any political party.

“You are not required to be a member for a certain amount of time, according to the Constitution,” he said.

Otaokpukpu emphasized that Obi’s return to the Labour Party is constrained by procedural realities and timing, notwithstanding these legal issues.

He stated, “It is practically impossible because most of the major political parties will be holding their conventions and primaries in just a few weeks.”

He insisted that rather than focusing on political conjecture about party movement, the Electoral Act’s flaws with constitutional principles should be addressed.

Otaokpukpu stated that Obi is still a strong candidate inside the African Democratic Congress (ADC), rejecting claims of an internal crisis within the organization.

“ADC’s primaries have not been held. He said, “It’s hopeful that Obi will get the ticket.”

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Datti Baba-Ahmed, a former Labour Party (LP) vice presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, has announced his plan to compete for president in the 2027 general elections.
At a rally at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, he expressed his interest.

Just one week has passed since former presidential candidate Peter Obi declared he was leaving the Labour Party to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Speaking to party members and supporters, Baba-Ahmed stated that his desire to become president predated the 2023 election and was neither reactionary nor dependent on Obi’s political choices.

“I’ve declared my intention to run for office in 2027. I’m not going to follow anyone’s path or put myself in their position.

“May I just remind you that I ran for president before His Excellency Governor Peter Obi? “You can view the records,” he stated.

In the meantime, the Labour Party, led by Julius Abure, has downplayed worries about the exit of Peter Obi, its 2023 presidential candidate, maintaining that the party is still powerful and able to successfully compete in the general elections of 2027.

According to Abure, “we had laundered the image of our party with several people of influence coming to us to say they want to join, some actually joined.”

“Alex Otti, the governor of Abia State, recently told the world that he joined the party before Peter Obi did, and this is true,” he continued.

The LP chairman revealed that Governor Otti had stated that he would not defect with Obi, a move he saw as more evidence of the party’s stability.

According to Abure, “he also said he was not going to defect with Peter Obi.”

At a party event on Wednesday at the Labour Party’s National Headquarters in Abuja, where party leaders and supporters gathered to reaffirm their commitment to the program, Abure reportedly made this statement.

Speaking to supporters of the party, Abure acknowledged Obi’s contribution to the party’s win in the 2023 elections but advised against blaming his influence alone.

He claims that the Labour Party’s expansion was fueled by internal changes and group efforts before Obi joined the party.

Recounting what happened when Obi defected, Abure said that Datti Baba-Ahmed, the party’s 2023 vice presidential candidate, called him and reiterated his commitment to the party.

“Our Vice-Presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Dr. Datti Baba-Ahmed, called me the night Peter Obi defected,” he stated.

According to Abure, Baba-Ahmed assured him that he would stay in the Labour Party as it was the platform that garnered millions of votes for the 2023 presidential ticket.

“He said he is not leaving the party because it was the platform on which he and the previous candidate received 10 million votes from Nigerians, which was reduced to six million votes; we all know what happened,” Abure continued.

He claims that Baba-Ahmed also proposed a meeting for reconciliation with senior party members, but subsequently consented to include grassroots followers.

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