LP Zones 2027 Presidential Ticket to South

•  S’East stakeholders endorse Otti, pass vote of confidence on leadership

Chuks Okocha, Adedayo Akinwale and Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

Labour Party (LP) has zoned its presidential ticket to the south ahead of the 2027 general election. With this decision, the party had effectively barred the running mate to Mr. Peter Obi in 2023, Datti Baba-Ahmed, and other aspirants from the north from contesting the position on its platform in the coming elections.

Chairman of the party, Nenadi Usman, added that the decision was a firm policy shift intended to provide clarity for prospective aspirants ahead of the next general election.

Usman gave the hint in Abuja at the end of a consultative meeting with Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

She stated, “We have one certain decision that we have taken. That is to say that we will certainly not field any aspirant from northern Nigeria. We have zoned the position to southern Nigeria. So if any northerner comes now to want to contest elections, we certainly will not accept that.”

Usman added that the party remained committed to internal democracy and would not handpick any individual.

She said, “As for who, I can’t tell you now because then it won’t be democratic anymore. When the aspirants come, whoever the people like and vote for during the primaries, then whoever it is that wins the primaries, then we put them in the position.”

Usman revealed that a suit filed at a high court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, against the National Caretaker Committee was dismissed for lacking merit.

According to her, “To God be the glory, the case was thrown out. The court discovered that they had no locus standi. I believe the judge did very well by standing on truth and the case is now thrown out, so it is over.”

On the party’s upcoming congresses, initially scheduled to begin on Thursday, March 26, Usman hinted at a possible adjustment to the timetable to accommodate a “surge” of new members.

Meanwhile, stakeholders and chairmen of LP in the South-east zone passed a vote of confidence on  Abia State Governor Alex Otti and his deputy, Ikechukwu Emetu, citing their leadership and commitment to the growth of the party.

The position was contained in a communiqué presented to the deputy governor, where the stakeholders expressed appreciation to the Abia State leadership for what they described as tireless efforts in strengthening the party and providing visionary direction.

The communiqué was signed by key stakeholders across the region, including Hon. Chidiebere Darlington Anyanwu (CHYDON), Comrade Eze Oko Splendour, Hon. Dr. Ezeh Emmanuel Ezeh, Chief Edozie Ezeugwa, Hon. Chuks A. Okolo, Deacon Chuka Solomon Obaego, and several state party chairmen.

The stakeholders also reaffirmed confidence in the party’s national leadership.

According to the communique, “The Labour Party South East zone expresses profound gratitude to His Excellency Dr. Alex Chioma Otti OFR, Governor of Abia State, and His Excellency Engr  Dr Ikechukwu Emetu, Deputy Governor, for their tireless efforts in strengthening the labour party and providing visionary leadership.

“We hereby pass a vote of confidence on Governor Dr. Alex Chioma Otti and Deputy Governor Engr Dr. Ikechukwu Emetu, acknowledging their exceptional performances and endorsing them for a second term in office.”

They passed a vote of confidence on the national chairman, Usman, and National Secretary, Darlington Nwokocha, endorsing them for re-election at the forthcoming national convention.

On zoning within the National Working Committee (NWC), the group agreed that key positions allocated to the South-east should be distributed among states in the zone.

Under the arrangement, Ebonyi State was to produce National Vice Chairman (South-East), Imo State, Deputy National Youth Leader, and Enugu State, Deputy National Woman Leader.