Ahead of the 2027 general election, there are indications that Peter Obi and his followers in the Labour Party (LP) are taking the recent judgement by the Federal High Court, Abuja, that sacked Julius Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC), with cautious optimism.
They believe that the legal hurdles are not over, as pending appeal at the Appeal Court cannot be ignored, despite the Federal High court judgement asking Abure to immediately hand over the party’s affairs to the Nenadi Usman-led Caretaker Committee.
Yunusa Tanko, a chieftain of African Democratic Congress (ADC), who led Peter Obi’s Presidential Media team in 2023, told BusinessDay that Nenadi Usman-led Caretaker Committee was “still taking a strategic look at the court judgement.
“They have to look at the development strategically before taking a final decision,” he said.
Tanko noted that they were cautious not to “jump into a trap.”
The Obidient group that constitutes over six million voters in the Labour Party, according to the 2023, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) statistics, believe that to succeed in Nigeria’s political turf requires extra wits and tacts.
Should the decision subsist, there are indications that it will confer a big boost for Peter Obi’s chances in the 2027 presidential race, with the multiple options that would be available for him to choose from.
It is believed that the judgement may have also sent fears to the camp of some political heavyweights in Nigeria, including the African Democratic Party (ADC) chieftain and Obi’s major rival, Atiku Abubakar, who is reported to be plotting to pick Emeka Nwajiuba, if Peter Obi refuses to accept to be his running mate.
BusinessDay however, gathered that even the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has promised to give Peter Obi the party’s presidential ticket, should plans to woo former President Goodluck Jonathan fails.
Political experts believe that this will depend on whose side the pendulum swings when the cases are decided at the Court of Appeal as both parties are facing similar challenges.
Goddy Ehimikhuai, an Adamawa-based legal practitioner, speaking on why the courts are not eager to make decisive legal pronouncements on ongoing cases affecting the opposition parties, agreed that the courts lack jurisdictions citing relevant provisions
“Their hands are tied, especially with regards to cases bordering on internal party disputes, as the law says the court should not interfere.”
According to him, “The roles of the judiciary is to act as an arbiter. Theirs is to protect democratic values and prevent abuse of power by party officials. So, they are restrained from interfering in the internal affairs of the parties, especially in issues of who is the party chairman.
“As you may be aware, political parties are seen as voluntary organisations, that exercise its own internal autonomy. Unless you have issues that violates the Electoral Act, the courts, allow the parties to resolve other disputes internally
Ehimikhuai cited section 84(14) of the 2022 Electoral Act, which restricts the jurisdiction of the courts.
“This section restricts the powers of the judiciary when it comes to the matters of internal affairs of political parties. It only allows members to challenge issues around non-compliance with the Electoral Acts, party’s constitution and, or non- compliance with the INEC guidelines.
“By this, it means issues such as party administration, internal day to day administration or even the setting up of party’s caretaker committees or even the suspension of members cannot be entertained by the courts.”
In other provisions, Section 6(6)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) also limits the powers of the Judiciary to “all matters between persons, or between government or authority and to any person in Nigeria.
“In such cases, the courts can only allow for alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to, foster, reconciliation rather than just, legalistic, adversarial outcomes.
“So, it is not yet Uhuru for the opposition, not for the Labour Party and not for Peter Obi, because, the Court of Appeal may still upturn that judgement.”
He however, believes that the courts should exercise some “discretionary powers,” to resolve lingering party disputes, as is presently going on within the PDP and Labour Party, “If they are not able, to resolve their disputes by themselves, even under the cited circumstances.
“it is the duty of the court to put an end to such crisis where they occur by pronouncing judgement in favour of those on the side of the law, as last hope of the common man.”
Ike Abonyi, a member of the Labour Party Media team informed the BusinessDay, that “high level” consultations are on to prepare the next stage, expected to take off soon for fresh party registration, Ward, LG, States and zonal congresses.
This is just as the party will embark of reconciliation of members, to heel the wounds created by the long dispute.
According to Abonyi, the unnecessary delays in resolving the crisis was part of plans to disorganised opposition parties and ensure that Peter Obi does not have a platform in 2027.
He said: “You can see that Immediately Peter Obi joined the ADC, the court now took that decision, but we are happy that Obi joined the ADC, without resigning from the Labour Party
“They are aware that it is only Peter Obi who can successfully unit members of the opposition, ahead of 2027
“But if Obi gets the ADC ticket, he will still be able to unite all the opposition parties, but if he fails to secure the party’s ticket, he will have no choice than to look for another platform.”
He however, declared that the Labour Party members were adopting “caution,” adding that “We are aware that they have asked Abure to go to the Court of Appeal.
“The way forward is simple and straight- the Nenadi Usman-led Caretaker Committee will move quickly through the Ward, Local government, state and zonal congresses to produce both the party leaders, our respective delegates and other
“Ordinarily, the congress is part of mobilisation. Every party must go through that. The Party is expected to start action soon.”
Katchy Ononuju, a public affairs analyst and director general (DG) of the Heritage Centre, Abuja, described the ADC, as “a loose alliance of political associations, where members have the freedom of free entry and exit.”
According to Ononuju, “We can join the alliance without leaving the Labour Party. Usman is there and she is doing what she can do. She will arrange ward, local government and state congresses and reconcile every aggrieved member.
“We are suspicious of what the government is doing and we cannot be caught unawares. So, let her take charge, while Peter Obi continues with his activities.
“They may want to give us a false sense of hope after, they will go to the Appeal Court and do all their nonsense.”
