The leadership of the Labour Party (LP) has denied reports that Abia State Governor Alex Otti and Peter Obi, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, have been given automatic tickets for the 2027 election. Following a remark by Abayomi Arabambi, the factional LP National Publicity Secretary, who implied that Obi would run again to contest President Bola Tinubu’s reelection, comes this response. Obiora Ifoh, the LP’s official national publicity secretary, refuted the allegation, emphasising that the party would rigorously adhere to party policies and Nigerian electoral regulations when choosing its candidates.
In July 2024, Julius Abure, the National Chairman of the LP, renounced his earlier pledge to provide Obi and Otti automatic seats. Their participation in the formation of a 29-member caretaker committee to supervise internal party elections, headed by Senator Nenadi Usman, was connected to this decision. The National Working Committee (NWC), led by Abure, declared the committee’s formation to be illegal and cautioned Otti to put more emphasis on governance than party matters. The party formally retracted the automatic tickets that were first promised to Obi and Otti as a result. Abure maintained the revocation was intended to guarantee a fair selection process for all prospective candidates in 2027 and was not retaliatory against any individual.
Internal conflicts within Nigeria’s Labour Party (LP).
Leadership fights and the allocation of candidate tickets for the 2027 elections have been the primary sources of internal strife within Nigeria’s Labour Party (LP). Each of the several party groups that have emerged from these conflicts is essential to the ongoing conflict. Peter Obi and Governor Alex Otti are leading a coalition, while Julius Abure is in charge of the major LP factions. Insisting that his leadership is legitimate, National Chairman Julius Abure cites a national convention held on March 27, 2024, in Nnewi, Anambra State.
According to him, the convention was held in compliance with the Nigerian Electoral Act and the party’s constitution. Abure’s side has been sceptical of moves that they believe threaten party unity and places a strong emphasis on following established party procedures. Abure’s leadership, however, has been contested by Alex Otti, the governor of Abia State elected on the LP platform, and Peter Obi, the LP’s 2023 presidential contender. They selected a 29-member caretaker committee headed by former Finance Minister Nenadi Usman at a stakeholders’ conference held in Umuahia, Abia State, in September 2024.
All eligible Nigerians would have access to all party tickets.
A push for party reorganisation was indicated by this committee’s assignment to hold elections for new party leadership within ninety days. Abure’s group believed this action was not authorised, which caused more division. After the general elections in 2023, the LP, led by Abure, had promised Alex Otti a second-term gubernatorial ticket automatically and had initially set aside its 2027 presidential ticket for Peter Obi. Based on their noteworthy contributions to the party’s victories in the 2023 elections, this choice was made.
Furthermore, Abure said he was happy with Obi’s leadership and that the party was already choosing its presidential candidate and was looking to 2027. These automatic ticket guarantees were revoked by the Abure-led faction in September 2024, though. All eligible Nigerians would have access to all party tickets, from the president to the House of Assemblies, according to a resolution made by the National Executive Council (NEC). Abure clarified that the party’s constitution and democratic ideals were upheld by this choice.
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These guidelines forbid denying qualified candidates the chance to run for elected office. Opening the tickets to competition, he underlined, will make the party and its candidates stronger. It is crucial that these internal disputes get settled quickly if the LP is to increase political stability and increase its prospects in the 2027 elections. To offer a viable alternative to the voters, it will be essential to establish clear leadership, pick candidates democratically, and promote unity among party members.