The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has stated that the presidential candidate of the Labour Party Peter Obi is free to leave the NLC. Benson Upah, the NLC's spokesperson, made this known in an interview with Punch on Sunday. Upah emphasized that despite the 'illegal' national convention that returned Abure to office, the union would not recognize his leadership.
A group of retired workers under the Lagos Assembly of Labour Veterans and Trade Unionists has called for the resignation of the embattled national chairman of the Labour Party and NLC President, Joe Ajaero, over their contentious leadership struggle. Obi, the former Anambra governor and LP presidential candidate, has been at odds with the party's leadership over the manner in which it conducted the convention in Nnewi, Anambra State.
Obi expressed his frustrations during an X Space session, stating that he did not attend the national convention where Julius Abure was re-elected as the party's national chairman because the party's leadership failed to heed his appeal for wider consultation. Despite being guaranteed the 2027 ticket at the convention, speculations have arisen that Obi may be seeking a new platform.
Upah stated that the NLC would not stand in the way of Obi should he decide to defect to another political platform. He described Obi as an asset and said that the congress would not judge him if he chose to leave. Upah emphasized that Obi's right of choice is available, and if he chooses to remain, he would be welcomed as an asset.
