Peter Obi’s Labour Party Days Are Numbered – Doyin Okupe
Doyin Okupe, the former Director-General of Peter Obi’s Presidential Campaign Organization, has attributed the recent wave of defections from the Labour Party (LP) to the party’s failure to establish a sustainable organizational structure following the 2023 elections.
Recently, six Labour Party lawmakers defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on the floor of the House of Representatives. These defectors include Rep. Tochukwu Chinedu Okere (Imo), Rep. Donatus Matthew (Kaduna), Rep. Akiba Bassey (Cross River), and Rep. Esosa Iyawe (Edo).
In an interview with journalists in Lagos on Sunday, Okupe noted that the Labour Party’s inability to consolidate its position has left elected members searching for political relevance and stability elsewhere.
Okupe argued that the defections were foreseeable, as many elected officials would naturally leave a party with an uncertain future. “The LP has not built the kind of structures that would ensure its members can thrive politically in the long term,” he said. “It’s only natural for politicians to seek more secure options if they believe their prospects with the party are limited.”
Okupe also pointed to Peter Obi’s recent meeting with opposition leaders, including Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as indicative of a broader shift within the party. He described the meeting in Adamawa as a sign that all political avenues remain open for Obi and other members of the Labour Party, including a potential exit.
“The Labour Party has always served as a fallback for those who could not secure tickets in the major parties. That’s how we first got involved, and our presence boosted the party’s fortunes,” Okupe explained. “Now, National Assembly members elected under the LP banner know that without a strong structure, their chances of re-election in 2027 are slim. They are therefore aligning with more established political parties to secure their future.”
Okupe was also critical of the Labour Party leadership and Peter Obi for neglecting the development of a robust political framework post-election. He warned that this lack of attention to party building would continue to drive away members.
“The Labour Party has failed to invest in building a sustainable structure,” he said. “Until that changes, defections will persist, and the party will struggle to maintain any lasting influence.”
