The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Nenadi Usman, has opened up about the key role Peter Obi played in attracting her, and many others, to the party ahead of the 2023 elections.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television, Usman explained that Obi’s message of fairness and equity strongly influenced her decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). According to her, Obi didn’t just convince her personally, his appeal resonated with a wide group of politicians who felt aligned with those values.
She noted that dissatisfaction within the PDP, particularly over its decision not to zone the presidential ticket to the South, pushed her and others to reconsider their political stance. Despite being from the North, Usman said she believed the move was unfair, making Obi’s message even more compelling.
Usman emphasized that many who joined the Labour Party at the time did so because they believed in the principles Obi represented, especially justice, inclusion, and equal opportunity.
However, she also pointed out that returning to the party under current rules may not be straightforward for Obi. She explained that the Electoral Act requires party registers to close weeks before primaries, making late entries difficult.
Looking ahead, Usman said the Labour Party plans to refocus on its founding ideals, highlighting social justice and equal opportunity as its core direction moving forward.
