Nigeria’s Labour Party said on Thursday it will not grant automatic tickets to any aspirant ahead of the 2027 general elections, adding that its 2023 presidential flagbearer, Peter Obi, will also be required to contest competitive primaries if he seeks the nomination.
Labour Party National Publicity Secretary Obiora Ifoh told reporters that while the party remains open to reconciliation with Obi and other aggrieved members, its internal democratic procedures would not be relaxed. The clarification comes amid ongoing tensions between Obi and the party’s national leadership led by Julius Abure.
“The Labour Party has consistently said that tickets will be decided at the party’s convention,” Ifoh said. “There is no automatic ticket for anyone — whether presidential, governorship or chairmanship aspirants. Every candidate must emerge through a democratically convened process.”
He added that only Obi can clarify his current political alignment, following speculation about his ties with other parties. “Nobody can speak for him. Whether he is in the ADC or the Labour Party, he alone can answer that question,” Ifoh said.
The Labour Party is expected to hold its convention ahead of the 2027 election cycle, with several key positions and candidacies likely to be closely contested.
