By Deborah Nnamdi
Amid ongoing tensions within the Labour Party (LP), the party’s National Secretary, Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim, has asserted that the LP’s presidential ticket for the 2027 election is open to all qualified aspirants and not reserved for any individual.
Speaking in an interview with Trust TV, Ibrahim expressed concerns over Peter Obi’s recent alignment with leaders of the coalition-backed African Democratic Congress (ADC). He warned that such affiliations could affect Obi’s chances of representing the Labour Party in the next presidential election.
“Datti is as qualified to contest for the presidency as Peter Obi,” Ibrahim stated. “The presidential ticket is not the exclusive right of any individual. It is open for a competitive contest.”
He emphasized that if Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, the party’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, chooses to seek the presidency under the LP, he would be given a fair opportunity to do so.
“If Datti wants to run for president and chooses the Labour Party platform, we will give him the chance. He must buy the nomination form, mobilize support, and campaign like every other aspirant,” Ibrahim said.
However, he cautioned that any aspirant, including Obi, could risk disqualification if found actively associating with other political parties.
“You can’t keep one leg in another party and expect to be given the ticket in the Labour Party. If those people don’t return fully to the LP, they risk losing their opportunity. From the beginning, such divided loyalty could disqualify them,” he added.
His remarks come shortly after Baba-Ahmed signaled interest in running for president in 2027—provided Obi does not seek a second shot. Despite this, Baba-Ahmed reiterated his loyalty to Obi and affirmed that the former Anambra State governor deserves another opportunity to contest under the Labour Party.
