By Emmanuel Dominic 
Blow to Labour Party: Prominent Leader Exits with Five Million Supporters
A significant upheaval has occurred within Nigeria’s Labour Party as factional leader Callistus Okafor announced his departure from the party, claiming to take with him approximately five million supporters. This development, disclosed during a press briefing in Abuja on May 22, 2025, underscores deepening internal divisions and leadership challenges within the party.
Okafor attributed his decision to a lack of cohesive leadership, directly criticizing the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and party chairman Julius Abure. He expressed disappointment over Obi’s failure to unite the party post-election and his perceived ambivalence toward internal conflicts. Okafor stated, “After the election, we expected that a man the media presents as ‘Mr. Right’ would bring us together. But this is not the time for sentiment.”
In response to these challenges, Okafor announced the formation of a new political movement named WaZoBia Nigeria, positioning it as a non-partisan alternative aimed at addressing the nation’s pressing issues. He emphasized that this movement would focus on unity and effective leadership, distancing itself from the internal strife that has plagued the Labour Party.
This departure follows a similar move by Kenneth Okonkwo, a former spokesperson for the Labour Party’s presidential campaign council, who left the party in 2024. Okonkwo cited concerns over Peter Obi’s leadership style and the party’s direction, stating that he no longer had confidence in Obi’s ability to build a party capable of winning elections.
The exits of both Okafor and Okonkwo highlight ongoing turbulence within the Labour Party, raising questions about its future cohesion and effectiveness as a political force in Nigeria.
