Julius Abure rules out backing Peter Obi for 2027, eyes Tinubu or Atiku

Julius Abure’s stance on the 2027 presidential race

On 2 November 2026, Julius Abure, who had just finished his term as national chairman of Nigeria’s Labour Party (LP), announced that he would refuse to support Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), in the 2027 general election. Abure added that he was willing to back either President Bola Tinubu or former Vice‑President Atiku Abubakar, yet he would ultimately decide based on three criteria: the result of an ongoing Supreme Court case concerning LP leadership, the degree to which a potential ally’s platform matched his own interests and ideology, and the candidate’s overall appeal to the electorate.

Abure’s comments were made in interviews with The Punch and other media outlets. He stated that if the Supreme Court did not deliver a ruling before the end of November, he would consult his supporters and weigh offers from interested parties. He also made it clear that the NDC was not a party he would entertain, pointing to Obi’s inclusion on its ticket as the reason.

Background: the Labour Party leadership dispute

The dispute that has led to Abure’s current position dates back to the LP’s national convention in 2023. Abure alleged that Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti had dismantled the party’s structure from the ward level up to the national stage, and that they had installed an “illegal leadership” through a rival National Working Committee based in Owerri. The disagreement culminated in a legal challenge that is now before the Supreme Court. The court’s decision will determine the legitimate leadership of the LP and will influence Abure’s future political alliances.

Peter Obi, who was the LP’s presidential candidate in 2023, secured more than six million votes, a performance that Abure claims was built on goodwill and a strong party structure. Abure argues that Obi has squandered that goodwill, human capital and resources, and predicts that Obi will perform worse in 2027.

Why it matters

Abure’s decision is significant because the LP has a substantial base of supporters who may now be forced to choose between aligning with the LP or supporting one of the other major candidates. If the Supreme Court ruling favours the current LP leadership, Abure may be compelled to reconsider his stance. Conversely, if the ruling confirms Abure’s position, the LP could lose a key segment of its support base.

The NDC, led by Senator Seriake Dickson, has dismissed Abure’s comments, stating that it has moved on from the former LP chairman and is focused on the 2027 contest. The NDC’s response indicates that the party does not view Abure’s stance as a threat to its campaign.

What happens next

The Supreme Court is expected to deliver its judgment on the LP leadership dispute before the end of November 2026. Abure has said that if the court does not decide in time, he will consult his supporters and decide on a preferred candidate. No further dates or decisions have been announced beyond the pending court ruling.

The outcome of the court case and Abure’s subsequent decision will likely influence the political dynamics leading up to the 2027 presidential election, as the LP’s support base may shift towards either Bola Tinubu or Atiku Abubakar, or remain divided.