Former Labour Party chairman Abure rules out backing Obi, open to Tinubu or Atiku

Julius Abure, who led the Labour Party when Peter Obi was its presidential candidate in 2023, has said he will not support Obi in the 2027 election.
What he said
In a newspaper interview reported on Monday, 2 November 2026, Abure reportedly said he was open to working with any of the major candidates but was very sure he would not back Obi, who is now the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate. He said he could support either President Bola Tinubu or Atiku Abubakar of the ADC, depending on the outcome of a pending Supreme Court case on the Labour Party's leadership, whether a candidate's agenda matches his views, and how acceptable the candidate is to voters. He said that if the court has not ruled by the end of November, he will consult his supporters.
His criticism of Obi
Abure argued that Obi had squandered the goodwill and structures that helped him win more than six million votes in 2023, and predicted he would do worse in 2027. He also questioned Obi's leadership, accusing him and Abia Governor Alex Otti of undermining the party.
The other side
Obi's allies have previously accused Abure of breaking an agreement to hold an inclusive party convention. The NDC and Obi's camp dismissed his latest comments, saying they have moved on and are focused on the election.
Background
The Labour Party has been split by a long leadership dispute since the 2023 election, which eventually led Obi to leave and join the NDC.
- Abure says he will not support Obi.
- He could back Tinubu or Atiku depending on a court case.
- Obi's camp says it has moved on.


