The Labour Party's faction led by Julius Abure declared all electoral tickets for the 2027 elections open to qualified Nigerians. This decision follows an NEC meeting, shifting away from previous reservations for Peter Obi and Alex Otti. Internal disputes continue within the party.
In a significant shift within the Labour Party (LP), the faction led by Julius Abure has announced that all positions for the upcoming 2027 general election are open to qualified Nigerians. This decision came during a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in Abuja on Monday.
The NEC reviewed the previous decision from the National Convention that reserved the presidential and governorship tickets exclusively for Peter Obi and Alex Otti, respectively. The faction's communique clearly stated, “Consequently, all tickets of the party from Presidency to the House of Assemblies are open to all qualified Nigerians.”
This move comes amid internal disputes, as Abure's faction questioned the authority of Otti, the Governor of Abia State, to convene a stakeholders’ meeting that resulted in the formation of a caretaker committee led by former senator Nenadi Usman. The communique emphasized that Otti lacked the constitutional power to call such meetings without the approval of the National Secretary and National Chairman, as outlined in the party’s rules.
Further complicating matters, Callistus Okafor, who leads a rival faction, has rejected the Usman-led committee, claiming a court order grants him the title of acting chair of the party.
This internal strife has sparked intense discussions about the party's direction and strategies as the election approaches, with implications for candidates and voter engagement.
