By Huldah Shado
Factional chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Callistus Okafor, has announced his resignation from the party, declaring that its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, lacks the capacity to govern Nigeria.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, Okafor cited the party’s lingering leadership crisis and Obi’s alleged failure to address internal issues as key reasons for his decision.
“We had carefully looked at what is happening in the Labour Party, including the crises that have been going on for seven years, and wondered how long it will continue,” he said.
Okafor claimed to be leaving with over five million supporters. “I hereby stand today to announce to Nigerians and all the Labour Party faithful who are under my own faction that we are pulling out today as a team,” he declared.
He announced the formation of a new movement: Team Wazobia Nigeria, adding, “The crisis has come to a point where it’s no longer healthy in the Labour Party.”
In a stinging criticism of Obi, he said, “When His Excellency Peter Obi joined us in 2022, what did he do? He supported Abure, who has become his archenemy today.”
“He supported him in everything he did despite the warning by our former National Treasurer, Ms. Oluchi Opara, about his several embezzlements of Labour Party money.”
Delivering his final verdict, Okafor said, “This is the time for reality. So, if he can’t govern the Labour Party, for me, he can’t govern Nigeria. And that is why I have to leave.”
Okafor also ruled out any return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying, “You can see their governors and National Assembly members defecting every day into APC. What it means is that APC is the appealing party as of today.”
