Peter Obi, NLC To Blame For Our Loss – Ondo LP

Ayodele Olorunfemi, the Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Ondo State, has blamed Peter Obi and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for his loss in the just-concluded election.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) emerged victorious, winning all 18 local government areas with 366,781 votes, defeating the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Agboola Ajayi, who scored 117,845 votes.

Speaking after the results were announced, Olorunfemi accused Obi, the LP’s former presidential candidate, and the NLC of sabotaging his campaign by pushing for Olusola Ebiseni, another candidate, to be recognized on the ballot.

This dispute led to legal battles that disrupted Olorunfemi’s preparations. Though reinstated by a Court of Appeal ruling just days before the election, Olorunfemi claimed the damage had already been done.

He criticized the NLC for allegedly forging documents to claim his withdrawal from the race, adding that he plans to petition the Inspector General of Police to investigate the matter.

Olorunfemi also accused the NLC of criminal actions, such as forging his signature and filing false court submissions, undermining his candidacy.

In response, Professor Theophilus Ndubuaku, acting Chairman of the NLC Political Commission, dismissed Olorunfemi’s accusations as baseless, alleging instead that Olorunfemi attempted to sell his candidacy to the highest bidder, including members of the opposition. Efforts to reach Peter Obi and Ebiseni for comments were unsuccessful.

The fallout highlights the deepening divisions within the Labour Party and its strained relationship with the NLC, raising questions about the party’s cohesion ahead of future elections.

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