Julius Abure, factional National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), has issued a stern warning to the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, accusing him of blackmailing the party’s leadership.

The warning, conveyed through a statement by the faction’s National Secretary, Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim, on Tuesday, follows Obi’s recent claims that the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government has infiltrated the LP, fueling internal crises.

In an interview with Arise TV on Monday, Obi alleged that the APC was orchestrating discord within the LP. However, Abure’s faction dismissed these claims, asserting that the party’s challenges stem not from external interference but from Obi and suspended Abia State Governor Alex Otti, who faces accusations of anti-party activities. “When asked to produce evidence, Obi could not provide any tangible proof,” the statement read, challenging him to substantiate his allegations.

The Abure camp accused Obi of misinforming Nigerians and urged him to introspect rather than spreading “ill-conceived narratives.” It further criticized Obi for failing to provide leadership during the party’s turbulent period, stating, “Nobody is infallible, and good leaders own up to their mistakes. Obi failed in providing leadership for the party. He should own up to his responsibilities.”

The faction also refuted claims of any alliance with other parties, emphasizing that the LP stood firmly behind Obi and Otti during and after the 2023 general election despite opportunities to align elsewhere. The statement accused Obi of “demarketing” the party with his allegations and called on him to cease undermining the LP’s leadership.

The ongoing feud highlights deepening divisions within the Labour Party as factions grapple for control ahead of future political contests.