“We lost a colossus” — LP admits Peter Obi’s departure created a vacuum

The Labour Party has admitted that the departure of its former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, created a major gap within the party’s structure and influence as reported by the Daily Post.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Monday, the party’s National Spokesman, Ken Asogwa, described Obi as a “colossus” whose presence significantly boosted the party’s popularity and political strength.

Asogwa admitted that the party could not pretend Obi’s exit had no effect, noting that discussions about his departure had circulated for months before he eventually left the party at the end of 2025.

“We lost a colossus within the party, but the party envisaged it. Remember that before his departure, the rumour was already out there that he was leaving, and he eventually left on December 31, 2025,” he said.

Obi, who served as governor of Anambra State, officially defected from the Labour Party to the African Democratic Congress on December 31, 2025.

However, political developments took another turn months later after Obi reportedly left the ADC in April and joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress.

He reportedly cited internal crises and unresolved disagreements within the ADC as reasons for his decision.

Obi’s movement across political parties has continued to attract attention within Nigeria’s political space, especially considering his strong support base among youths and urban voters during the 2023 presidential election.

Despite acknowledging the impact of Obi’s exit, Asogwa insisted that the Labour Party has already begun rebuilding efforts aimed at strengthening its structures nationwide.

According to him, party leaders have returned to the drawing board to reorganise their ranks and reposition the party for future political contests.

The spokesman expressed confidence that the party would recover from the setback and continue to remain relevant in Nigeria’s political landscape.