Former Labour Party National Chairman Julius Abure has expressed his willingness to support either President Bola Tinubu or former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar in the 2027 presidential election. Abure's decision to back either of the two prominent politicians would depend on several factors, including the outcome of the ongoing leadership dispute within the Labour Party, his political interests, and ideology, as well as the acceptability of the candidate.
Abure has ruled out any possibility of supporting former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi in the 2027 presidential election. He accused Obi of wasting the goodwill, human resources, and political structure that contributed to his performance in the 2023 general election. Abure's statement was made in an interview with The Punch, where he also threatened to mobilize his political supporters against Obi.
The former Labour Party chairman is currently waiting for the Supreme Court to deliver its judgment on the Labour Party leadership dispute. If the court fails to deliver its ruling before the end of November, Abure plans to consult his supporters and consider offers from interested presidential candidates. He emphasized that any potential candidate must align with his interests and ideology and be a sellable candidate.
Abure drew a comparison with a statement attributed to former Head of State Ibrahim Babangida, saying he is certain about the candidate he would not support but has yet to decide who would receive his backing. He stated that he is open to working with other major political candidates, but Obi is not among those he would consider supporting in 2027.
The former Labour Party chairman specifically ruled out the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) because of Obi's presence in the party. Abure insisted that he has no intention of supporting Obi again. However, he clarified that he is not currently negotiating with Tinubu, Atiku, or any other presidential candidate, stressing that his political decision would also reflect the interests of his supporters.
Abure claimed that many of his supporters remain loyal to the political structure he controlled before the Labour Party leadership crisis. He warned that if the Supreme Court does not deliver its judgment before the end of November, he will rationalize the offer of whoever wants his support. Abure's supporters are expected to play a crucial role in determining his next political move.
Abure's decision to support either Tinubu or Atiku in the 2027 presidential election has significant implications for Nigerian politics. As a former chairman of the Labour Party, Abure's endorsement could influence the outcome of the election. His supporters are expected to follow his lead, making him a crucial player in the country's political landscape.
Key points
- Abure rules out supporting Peter Obi in the 2027 presidential election.
- Abure open to supporting President Bola Tinubu or former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.
- Abure's decision depends on the outcome of the Labour Party leadership dispute and his political interests.
