Former National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Julius Abure, has declared his readiness to align with President Bola Tinubu or former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 general elections, while ruling out support for the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi.

Abure said his decision on which candidate to support would depend on the outcome of a pending Supreme Court case concerning the Labour Party’s leadership, as well as his political interests, ideology and the acceptability of the candidate.

In an interview, he said he would consult his supporters and consider offers from interested candidates if the Supreme Court failed to deliver its judgment before the end of November.

He stressed that any political alliance must reflect the interests of his group and involve a candidate with sufficient public appeal.

Abure, however, insisted that he would not support Obi, whom he accused of undermining the Labour Party’s organisational structure and wasting the goodwill and political support that contributed to his performance in the 2023 presidential election.

He also threatened to mobilise his supporters against the former Anambra State governor, saying he remained confident in the grassroots network that worked for Obi during the previous election.

The former LP chairman specifically ruled out the NDC because of Obi’s presence in the party, although he clarified that he was not currently negotiating with Tinubu, Atiku or any other presidential candidate.

Abure further accused Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti of dismantling the party structure under his leadership, alleging that members loyal to his faction were removed from positions at ward, state and national levels.

The dispute followed prolonged disagreements over the Labour Party’s leadership, national convention and control of its organisational structures. Obi eventually moved away from the party and joined the NDC after his political movement through the African Democratic Congress.

Abure also criticised the leadership arrangement in the NDC, arguing that its national leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, maintained firm control of the party and would not allow Obi the same level of influence he allegedly enjoyed under the former Labour Party leadership.

Reacting, the NDC Presidential Campaign Council spokesperson, Constance Ikokwu, said Obi was focused on his campaign and broader efforts ahead of the 2027 election, adding that the party had moved on from its disagreements with Abure.

Similarly, Obi’s media aide, Idris Zekeri, said the former governor was no longer concerned with the former LP chairman and was concentrating on the presidential contest.

Zekeri suggested that Abure’s position was influenced by personal grievances, while acknowledging that political differences were part of the democratic process.

The development reflects continuing political realignments and divisions among former allies ahead of the 2027 general elections.