The Labour Party Nigeria has officially zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to southern Nigeria, ruling out any aspirants from the north.
Nenadi Usman, the party’s national chairperson, announced the decision on Tuesday in Abuja, describing it as final and already agreed within party structures.
“We have taken a firm decision that we will not field any aspirant from northern Nigeria. The ticket has been zoned to the south,” she said.
Usman stressed that any attempt by a northern contender to enter the race would not be accepted by the party.
Despite confirming the zoning arrangement, she declined to name a potential candidate, emphasising that the party would follow due process.
“As for who emerges, it must be through democratic primaries. The people will decide,” she added.
She also made it clear that the party would not lobby individuals to contest under its platform.
“It is not our practice to beg people to use the Labour Party to run elections,” Usman said.
Court Victory and Internal Matters
On internal disputes, Usman disclosed that a court case challenging the dissolution of the party’s national caretaker committee had been dismissed.
“To God be the glory, the case was thrown out because it lacked merit,” she said, noting that the ruling reaffirmed the party’s position.
Possible Congress Shift
The chairperson hinted that the party might adjust the date for its upcoming congresses due to a surge in membership.
“If we proceed with the current date, many new members may be disenfranchised,” she warned.
Security Concerns Raised
Usman also revealed that the party had petitioned the police over an attack on its office, expressing confidence that those responsible would be prosecuted.
She urged members to embrace digital registration, adding that manual registration should be limited to those in remote areas without access to technology.
