The national leadership of the Labour Party (LP), has debunked insinuations that it has reserved the 2027 presidential ticket of the party for Mr Peter Obi or even for the Southeast geopolitical zone of the country.
A statement on Monday, February 17, 2025, the Labour Party affirmed that it has not and will not zone the presidential ticket or any of its positions in 2027 to an individual or any geopolitical zone.
The explanation by the party followed news reports in some sections of the media that would fly Peter Obi again in 2027 as its presidential candidate following the support it garnered in 2023 with the former governor of Anambra State.
This was as Abayomi Arabambi, National Publicity Secretary of Labour Party declared last week, when he appeared on Channels Television interview that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not just going to have it easy in 2027, saying; “We are coming back with Peter Obi so they will know we are very serious”.
But, in what appeared a counter to Arabambi’s position, the Labour Party in a statement on Sunday, February 16, 2025, titled; “2027: Labour Party still available for Ndigbo to realise presidency – Abure”, the party however, explained that it did not at any time say it has zoned the presidency or any of its positions in the coming election.
The party further said that even though it made its platform available for the South East to pursue its political aspirations in the 2023 election, it will however not close its doors to the zone if it chooses to work with the party in future elections.
National Chairman of Labour Party, Mr Julius Abure on Saturday while speaking at a gathering of South East members of the party in FCT, said that Ndigbo can still achieve the presidency if they are more united and are able to reach out to other groups, stressing that the Labour Party remains a veritable platform for their aspiration.
According to Abure; “Labour Party has large followership across the country and therefore the issue of zoning does not arise. In 2023 general elections, the party won seats in the North and across the Southern states and we are working hard to surpass that achievement in future elections. “Candidates for every position shall emerge through highly competitive and democratic processes as the party constitution does not permit zoning. We therefore regret the misinterpretation of the party’s noble intention by a section of the media.
“Our party was quoted out of context. However, we are excited by the deluge of concerns raised by the public over the misinformation. It clearly shows the level of love and trust Nigerians have for the Labour Party and how far they are willing to support the party in the task of repositioning Nigeria and ensuring that democracy works again in our dear country.
“We seize this opportunity to call on Nigerians to have faith in the Labour Party and to support us for the huge task ahead. We will not fail you. Together, we shall overcome,” the Party assured.
