Chief Oseloka Obaze, a former Secretary to the Anambra State Government and one-time close ally of Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, has resigned from the Labour Party, citing “anti-democratic actions” and “betrayal of trust” allegedly orchestrated by Mr. Obi.
Obaze, a former United Nations diplomat and 2017 governorship candidate in Anambra under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), announced his resignation in a letter dated Sunday, addressed to the Labour Party Chairman in Ochuche Ward 406, Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State.
In the letter, Mr. Obaze strongly condemned the conduct of the Labour Party’s April 5, 2025, governorship primary in Anambra, describing the process as deeply flawed and lacking credibility.
“The processes, conduct and outcome of the Labour Party governorship primaries held on April 5, 2025, in Awka were fraught with outright irregularities, bordering on fraud and criminality,” Obaze wrote. “It was not in tandem with either the party’s constitution and espoused core values or true tenets of democracy.”
Obaze formally dissociated himself from the party, stating that his resignation was both a personal protest and a defence of democratic integrity.
Credible sources told SaharaReporters that the crisis stemmed from the alleged imposition of George Moghalu, a former National Auditor of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and immediate past Director-General of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), as the Labour Party’s governorship candidate.
Moghalu, who reportedly joined the Labour Party on October 1, 2024, after he was sacked by President Bola Tinubu as NIWA boss, was declared the party’s consensus candidate under controversial circumstances. Party insiders allege the process was manipulated by some members of the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC), with the backing of Mr. Obi.
According to sources privy to the matter, he had sought clarification from Mr. Obi multiple times regarding his neutrality in the primary process. Despite assurances of non-interference, Obaze later discovered that plans were already in place to back Moghalu.
“Oseloka Obaze approached his former boss, Peter Obi, several times to clarify his position on the Labour Party’s 2025 Anambra governorship ticket. Obi repeatedly assured him that he would remain neutral in the party’s primary. Based on those assurances, Obaze agreed to serve as chairman of John Nwosu’s campaign organisation, one of the aspirants in the Labour Party primary,” one of the sources said.
“It was a day before the primaries that Mr. Obaze learned Peter Obi had deceived him all along. The primary process lacked any semblance of internal democracy—no delegate congresses were held, and Moghalu emerged unopposed in a tainted and manipulated exercise,” a source said.
Obaze, who chaired the campaign organisation of one of the aspirants, John Nwosu, reportedly saw his continued association with the party as incompatible with his values. His resignation, according to observers, marks a major crack in the political camp that once surrounded Mr. Obi.
Mr. Obaze’s departure adds to growing discontent within the Labour Party.
One of the sources stated, “The most painful part that led Obaze to sever ties with Peter Obi and resign was the complete lack of internal democracy in the Labour Party’s governorship primary.
“There was no delegates’ congress, and the process itself was a farce. As a result, George Moghalu emerged unopposed in an election riddled with corruption and manipulation, with Peter Obi’s active involvement. This was the final straw for Obaze, who chose to resign and distance himself from Obi in order to preserve his integrity.
“It’s worth noting that Obaze was a seasoned diplomat at the United Nations before Peter Obi approached him in 2012, urging him to resign from the UN to help restructure his government. Obaze agreed and was subsequently appointed SSG in the same year.”
In recent weeks, the party has witnessed a wave of defections by lawmakers across different levels, including recent exits by members of the Enugu State House of Assembly. Sources suggest that more lawmakers are preparing to defect in the coming weeks.
Political analysts say Obaze’s resignation is not only a personal repudiation of the party’s internal processes but also a warning sign for Mr. Obi’s political strategy and leadership approach ahead of the 2025 elections.
Observers note that the fallout may prompt Obi to reassess his role in the party’s internal affairs.
“This is a moment for Peter Obi to reflect deeply,” a source said. “He needs to go beyond social media popularity and focus on transparent, principled leadership that aligns with the democratic ideals he claims to champion.”
