2027: Obi ‘ll Not Command Followers Like 2023, Says Ex-IPAC Chair

A former chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Enugu State, Barrister John Nwobodo, has suggested that the candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi, will not command as much support in 2027 as he did in the previous election.

Nwobodo shared his views in an interview with LEADERSHIP in Enugu, where he expressed doubts about Obi’s ability to galvanize the same level of following he enjoyed in 2023. According to Nwobodo, “I do not see Peter Obi commanding as much followership and influence as he did in 2023.”

The former IPAC chairman pointed to ongoing leadership crises within the Labour Party, suggesting that the party had failed to maintain its grassroots support base. He criticized the party’s inability to establish a solid structure, noting that it lacked polling unit agents during the 2023 election, which he said showed a lack of preparation.

Nwobodo expressed concerns that instead of focusing on strengthening the party for the 2027 elections, internal bickering and struggles for party positions had taken precedence. He accused external forces and “fifth columnists” of infiltrating the party and further exacerbating the discord.

Commenting on the leadership dispute, Nwobodo opined that the conflict could have been avoided but noted that some members within the party were trying to wrest leadership from Julius Abure, the Labour Party’s national chairman. According to Nwobodo, Abure had no choice but to defend his position.

On the prospects of opposition party leaders forming an alliance capable of challenging the ruling party in 2027, Nwobodo stated that success would depend on the quality of leadership and vision from the alliance’s drivers. He argued that Nigerians were tired of mere rhetoric and demanded leaders who understood the country’s problems and could offer real solutions.

He further explained that many of the Labour Party’s supporters in 2023 had originally come from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). However, some of these supporters, motivated by personal interests, had already returned to the PDP. Nwobodo concluded that the political dynamics in 2023 were unique and may not be replicated in 2027.