The National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Julius Abure, has alleged that the party was shortchanged in the 2023 presidential election, claiming its actual votes were reduced from about 10 million to just over six million.
Abure made the claim on Wednesday during a gathering at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, an event that also featured the declaration of interest by the Labour Party’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, to contest the presidency in 2027.
According to the official results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 2023, the All Progressives Congress (APC) secured 8,794,726 votes, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) recorded 6,984,520 votes, while the Labour Party came third with 6,101,533 votes. The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) followed with 1,496,687 votes.
Speaking at the rally, Abure said that on the night Peter Obi joined the Labour Party ahead of the election, he received a call from Baba-Ahmed, who insisted on remaining with the party because Nigerians had massively voted for the Obi-Datti ticket.
“He told me he was not leaving the party because it was the platform on which we received about 10 million votes from Nigerians, even though that figure was eventually reduced to six million. We all know how that happened,” Abure said.
The Labour Party chairman’s remarks reflect the party’s long-held position following the 2023 election, which it challenged at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal over alleged irregularities and voter manipulation.
However, the tribunal dismissed the petition, rejecting claims of electoral malpractice and affirming the eligibility of President Bola Tinubu.
Abure also addressed concerns about internal stability within the party following the recent defection of the LP’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). He maintained that the party remained united and strong.
He praised Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, and Baba-Ahmed for staying with the Labour Party despite speculations that they might follow Obi to another platform.
“Governor Alex Otti has made it clear that he joined the Labour Party even before Peter Obi and that he has no intention of leaving. That speaks volumes,” Abure said.
He further revealed that Baba-Ahmed personally proposed a meeting to bring party leaders and grassroots members together to reaffirm unity within the party.
“Initially, he suggested a small meeting at Transcorp Hilton and even offered to pay for it. But I advised that we hold it here at the secretariat and invite ordinary Nigerians — the artisans, workers and supporters who truly own this party. He agreed, and that is why we are here today,” Abure explained.
Reaffirming the party’s commitment, Abure declared that the Labour Party would remain united and continue to present a credible alternative for Nigerians.
Addressing supporters, Baba-Ahmed confirmed his intention to contest the presidency in 2027, stressing that his decision was independent and not an attempt to replace or follow anyone.
“I have made myself available to run in 2027. I am not stepping into anyone’s shoes or following any trajectory. Before Peter Obi declared for president, I had already shown interest in the office. The records are there,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed recalled his earlier presidential ambition, noting that he had participated in the Peoples Democratic Party primaries in 2018 before joining forces with Obi in the Labour Party.
He also addressed questions around religion and ethnicity, insisting that the Nigerian Constitution grants every qualified citizen the right to seek elective office.
“Yes, I am a Muslim. Yes, I am Hausa. And yes, I am a Nigerian. The Constitution allows me to contest, and I am doing this because the country needs help,” he stated.
However, Baba-Ahmed emphasized that he would respect party procedures and electoral guidelines, adding that he would wait for INEC and the Labour Party leadership to officially open the process before making further moves.