The Labour Party (LP) has sensationally declared that there will be no automatic presidential ticket for anyone in the 2027 elections,not even for its most famous face, Peter Obi. This dramatic announcement comes as speculation swirls about Obi’s next political move and his frosty relationship with the party’s current leadership.

Obiora Ifoh, the LP’s National Publicity Secretary, made the party’s position crystal clear in a recent interview, stating that every aspirant, no matter how big their name, must fight it out in open primaries. “There is no automatic ticket for anyone,” Ifoh declared, shutting down any hopes of a free ride for Obi or any other heavyweight. The party claims this is all about “transparency” and “inclusivity,” but critics are already questioning whether this is just a power play by the current leadership.

The timing couldn’t be more dramatic. Peter Obi, the man who put the LP on the map in 2023, has been keeping his distance from the Julius Abure-led leadership. According to Ifoh, Obi hasn’t even spoken to the party’s top brass in over a year,a glaring sign of the deep rift within the party. “Not only him, so many other persons have also not done much,” Ifoh shrugged, downplaying the obvious tension.

The roots of this feud go back to the aftermath of the 2023 elections, when Obi’s camp accused Abure and his allies of mismanaging party funds and trying to hijack the party without proper consultation. Abure has denied everything, but the mudslinging has led to court battles and a party in chaos. Insiders say Obi is fed up with the endless infighting and lack of real reform, while Abure is determined to keep his grip on power,no matter what the “Obidient” movement thinks.

By early 2024, Obi had all but vanished from party activities, and communication between his camp and the leadership had ground to a halt. The rumour mill is in overdrive: Will Obi bolt for another party? Is the LP about to lose its star attraction?

Adding fuel to the fire, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has openly invited Obi to join its coalition for 2027. But even the ADC isn’t rolling out the red carpet,spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi bluntly stated that the party won’t bend its rules or zoning arrangements just to accommodate Obi. “If that is the condition for Obi to join us, maybe he should wait till that time,” Abdullahi said, making it clear that Obi won’t get special treatment anywhere.

Meanwhile, confusion reigns over Obi’s actual intentions. He was quoted in a YouTube interview criticizing instability in the ADC, but his media team quickly denied he ever gave such an interview. His former campaign spokesman, Yunusa Tanko, is now pleading for more time, saying Obi needs to “consult widely” before making any decisions about his future.

Back at LP headquarters, the party is desperately trying to project an image of unity and progress. Ifoh boasted about “successful” congresses and primaries, even as court injunctions and INEC scrutiny loom large. The party insists everything is on track for 2027, but the reality is far messier.

Despite the chaos, the LP leadership is putting on a brave face. “Everything is going on well with us,” Ifoh claimed, insisting the party will achieve all its goals by 2027. But with Obi on the sidelines and the party’s internal divisions on full display, many are wondering if the LP can survive without its biggest star,or if this is the beginning of the end for the so-called “third force” in Nigerian politics.