ABUJA – A former Labour Party (LP) presidential aspirant, Faduri Oluwadare Joseph, has accused the party’s leadership of betrayal and injustice, claiming that his 2022 presidential bid was sabotaged to pave the way for Mr Peter Obi.
Faduri, who is the leader of the Rescue Movement for a New Nigeria, also declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election, while calling for a generational shift in Nigeria’s leadership.
In a statement made available to journalists, he alleged that key LP figures including Barrister Julius Abure, Alhaji Lamidi Apapa and Dr Abayomi Arabambi conspired to remove him from the race just days before the party’s primary election in Asaba.
He claimed that the presidential ticket was handed to Peter Obi in exchange for money, despite his foundational role in rebuilding the party.
“What is happening in the Labour Party today is nothing short of poetic justice, a karma unfolding before the very eyes of the nation. It is the consequence of the injustice, betrayal and deceit done to me and my team in 2022, when some leaders of the party connived to rob me of the presidential ticket, a ticket we laboured tirelessly to build, and handed it over to Mr Peter Obi,” he stated.
Faduri said he and his team revived the Labour Party from obscurity.
“In 2022, LP was a dead structure — no plan, no preparation, no hope. I reached out to its national leaders. I rallied my team, invested resources and reawakened the sleeping giant,” he recalled.
He maintained that his decision to not challenge the process legally was an act of patriotism.
“I could have blocked the Labour Party from appearing on the ballot, and I had every legal and strategic right to do so, but I refused. I chose patriotism over personal interest,” he said.
Recounting his broader political journey, Faduri explained that he started with the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), which he claimed was hijacked by Alhaji Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso after he had revived the party from dormancy.
“We then began scouting for a new platform, and that was how we came to the Labour Party,” he added.
The former aspirant insisted that the party’s current internal crisis stems from the injustice meted out to him in 2022.
“After I was unjustly removed, the peace and unity we had built collapsed. The party has not known true peace since,” he said.
He further cast doubt on the moral foundation of Peter Obi’s candidacy.
“The candidacy of Peter Obi was built on injustice. No matter how loud the noise or how vast the donations, the foundation was flawed. And just as they cheated me, the system cheated them in return,” he claimed.
Describing himself as ‘the David of that election,’ he said he could have defeated any ‘Goliath,’ but was betrayed by leaders blinded by greed.
Faduri also criticised the current leadership of the Labour Party.
“The current Labour Party leadership cannot deliver the Nigeria we seek. They are transactional politicians, driven by money and self-interest,” he alleged.
While confirming that he remains a member of the Labour Party, he said he is still considering which platform to use for his next presidential bid.
“I will run again for the presidency of Nigeria in 2027. Because what we have today is not a nation, but a jungle. It is time for a generational shift,” he declared.
Citing global examples of youthful leadership, Faduri said: “From President Tinubu to Atiku Abubakar to Peter Obi, they’ve all had their time. It is time for them to step aside.
“It is time for a leader who is young, vibrant, intelligent, untainted by the system and ready to take Nigeria to its promised land.”
