Obaze Urges Opposition Unity Beyond Party Lines, Explains Why He Quit Labour
FunmiOgundare
Former United Nations diplomat and key adviser to Peter Obi, Oseloka Obaze, yesterday, explained that his exit from the Labour Party, was due to deeply flawed primaries that lacked credibility and disregard for both party and constitutional rules.
In an interview on AriseTV, Obazecriticised the party’s internal processes, warning that the Labour Party’s dysfunction threatens broader opposition efforts ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general election.
“The primaries were riddled with irregularities bordering on fraud and criminality,” Obaze said, adding: “It’s not about personal loyalty, this is about institutional integrity and the rule of law.”
Obaze, who previously served as an adviser to the Obi-Datti presidential campaign, said his decision to leave the party was personal but necessary.
“I came into the Labour Party alone. I left alone. It was simply the right thing to do,” he said.
He confirmed that his departure was not discussed with Peter Obi beforehand and reiterated that Obi, though seen as the party’s national figurehead, has no formal executive role.
“Peter Obi is the titular leader, but he is not the chairman, not a member of the National Working Committee. That must be understood,” he said.
On the broader political landscape, Obaze stressed the urgent need for a robust opposition coalition that transcends party affiliations.
He questioned the viability of the Labour Party as a central pillar in that coalition if it continues on its current path.
“Any coalition going into 2027 that excludes Peter Obi will almost certainly fail,” he said, underscoring Obi’s strategic importance to opposition unity.
While calling on political actors to prioritise national interest over personal ambition, Obaze acknowledged the difficulty of building consensus.
According to him, “Politics in Nigeria has become too transactional. We need purpose-driven leadership. We need to ask: what legacy are we leaving for the next generation?”
