Labour Party Lawmakers as an Appendage to APC Majority Lawmakers: A Huge Question Mark on Peter Obi’s Leadership
The Labour Party (LP) made an unprecedented impact in the 2023 general elections, largely due to the influence of Mr Peter Obi and the Obidient movement. Before then, it was almost unthinkable for a third-force party to achieve significant electoral success in Nigeria. However, against all odds, the LP secured eight senatorial seats and 34 seats in the House of Representatives as of March 7, 2023. Among those elected were individuals from humble backgrounds, including a former commercial motorcyclist and a motor park loading agent, further reinforcing the movement’s appeal to ordinary Nigerians. Labour Party’s Crisis and the Loss of Legislative Influence To the disappointment of many supporters, the Labour Party is currently experiencing severe internal disarray. At least one senator and five members of the House of Representatives have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Even more concerning is that the remaining LP lawmakers in the National Assembly appear ...