The 2023 Labour Party Vice-Presidential candidate, Datti Baba‑Ahmed, has insisted that former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, remains a member of the party.
Baba-Ahmed made the clarification on Wednesday while briefing journalists in Abuja, shortly after the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, which had in attendance officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
He dismissed published claims that Obi had defected from the party, describing the reports as unfounded.
“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,” Baba-Ahmed said.
The former NEC meeting was also attended by party officials including the National Secretary of the party and was officially observed by INEC to validate the proceedings, Baba-Ahmed added.
According to him, the party had weathered its internal challenges and is now advancing a fresh reconciliation push ahead of future national political engagements.
“The Labour Party has not reduced in any way. We have only increased in numbers,” he said, noting that turbulent moments were not unusual in political associations.
He further hailed the attendance of the electoral commission during the sitting, describing it as a major turning point.
“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,” he stated.
Baba-Ahmed also affirmed his loyalty to the party and appealed for unity, saying the NEC session marked a renewed push for reconciliation.
“This is a renewed drive for reconciliation… 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 said.
The Labour Party leadership reaffirmed its commitment to peace, internal cohesion, and grassroots expansion as political activities intensify toward upcoming election cycles.
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