According to a report by The Sun on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, Dr. Ayo Olorunfemi, the Deputy National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), has acknowledged that the party made significant mistakes during the 2023 general election.
He revealed that several candidates were sponsored without proper screening, leading to challenges in the party’s performance.
According to him, some individuals took advantage of the situation by defecting to the LP at the last minute, which weakened the internal structure and caused disunity.
He stressed that the party’s lack of thorough background checks on aspirants created loopholes that are now affecting its unity.
Olorunfemi further alleged that the present crisis in the party is partly linked to the actions of Senator Ireti Kingibe.
He accused the senator of engaging in backdoor dealings with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which he claimed destabilised the party.
While he did not go into full details about these alleged dealings, he insisted that they contributed to the tensions within the party’s leadership and membership.
Addressing comments from political observers, Olorunfemi dismissed the idea that the Labour Party’s popularity in 2023 was solely due to the influence of its presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
He maintained that although Obi played a major role in mobilising supporters, the party’s momentum began before he joined.
According to him, the foundations for the party’s strong showing in the polls were laid earlier through political mobilisations and strategic meetings.
He recalled that before Peter Obi’s defection to the LP, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had convened a major Political Summit attended by more than 3,000 participants.
The event drew not only ordinary citizens but also prominent political figures and intellectuals from different parts of the country.
Olorunfemi stated that this summit was one of the significant steps that built the party’s nationwide network and strengthened its grassroots connections.
Olorunfemi stressed that the LP’s performance in 2023 was the result of a collective effort from party members, trade unions, and ordinary Nigerians who believed in the need for a political alternative.
He said that the work done before Obi’s arrival created the environment in which the party could attract such a large number of votes and national attention.
However, he admitted that the absence of strict internal controls on who could run under the LP banner created problems that the party is still trying to resolve.
Speaking on the way forward, Olorunfemi stated that the Labour Party must adopt stricter candidate screening processes to avoid repeating past mistakes.
He emphasised that loyalty, competence, and alignment with the party’s ideology must be key considerations in approving candidates.
He noted that only by enforcing internal discipline can the LP position itself as a credible and united political force ahead of future elections.
He also encouraged members to remain focused on the party’s broader goals rather than personal interests.
Olorunfemi expressed optimism that with the right reforms, unity, and a commitment to its founding principles, the Labour Party can overcome its current challenges and strengthen its position as a viable political alternative in Nigeria’s democracy.
He said: I respectfully disagree. It is a mis characterisation to call it a Peter Obi tsunami. Yes, Peter Obi played a major role in mobilising people, but the momentum started long before he joined us. Let me take you back. The Trade Union Congress (TUC) convened a Political Summit that drew over 3,000 participants not just ordinary citizens, but major political and intellectual figures from across the spectrum.
