LP zones presidential ticket to South, shifts convention
No aspirant from the North will get the presidential ticket of the Labour Party (LP) in 2027, the party’s National Caretaker Committee Chairman, Senator Esther Nenadi Usman, said yesterday According
No aspirant from the North will get the presidential ticket of the Labour Party (LP) in 2027, the party’s National Caretaker Committee Chairman, Senator Esther Nenadi Usman, said yesterday
According to her, the party has zoned its presidential ticket to the South.
She spoke in Abuja after a consultative meeting of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC).
Mrs. Usman emphasised that the decision was a firm policy shift intended to provide clarity for prospective aspirants ahead of the next general election.
She said: “We have one certain decision that we have taken. That is to say that we will certainly not field any aspirant from Northern Nigeria. We have zoned the position to Southern Nigeria. So, if any Northerner comes now wanting to contest elections, we certainly will not accept that.”
Restating the party commitment to internal democracy, Mrs. Usman said LP will not handpick a specific individual from the South.
“As for who, I can’t tell you now because then it won’t be democratic anymore. When the aspirants come, whoever the people like and vote for during the primaries, then whoever it is that wins the primaries, then we put them in the position,” she said.
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Also yesterday, the party announced the postponement of its scheduled congresses and national convention. The announcement was made through a statement by Mrs. Usman’s Senior Special Adviser on Media, Ken Eluma Asogwa.
No new date has been picked for the exercises initially billed to kick-off on March 28 and end on April 11.
But it raised a 45-member congresses and convention committee to ensure seamless congresses and convention.
The statement reads: “It would be recalled that, according to the party’s previously released timetable, ward congresses were slated for March 26, 2026, followed by local government congresses on March 28, state congresses on March 31, while the national convention was scheduled to hold on April 11,
“However, arising from a combined stakeholders’ meeting involving members of the Interim National Working Committee (NWC) and representatives of the Labour unions, the party resolved to shift the exercise.
“The decision is aimed at providing ample opportunity for members and prospective Nigerians to participate fully in the ongoing membership re-registration exercise.
“As part of efforts to ensure a seamless and credible process, the party has also inaugurated a 45-member Congresses and Convention Committee. The committee is chaired by Hon. Ginger Onwusibe, member representing Isiala Ngwa South/Isiala Ngwa North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
“Other members of the committee include Comrade Salisu N. Mohammed, Hon. Obinna Aguocha, Hon. Amaobi Ogah, Hon. Ibe Okwara, Hon. Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, Hon. Alozie Munachim Ikechi, Hon. Benedict Etanabene, Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, Comrade Lawson Osagie, Mrs. Imaobong Ufot, among others.”
Charging members to discharge their responsibilities with utmost diligence, impartiality, and commitment, Mrs. Nenadi Usman, urged them to take full advantage of the postponement to ensure that all necessary preparations are thoroughly completed, guaranteeing hitch-free congresses and conventions.
“The party appeals to its members, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and its teeming supporters nationwide for their understanding regarding this adjustment. It assured that a new timetable will be communicated in due course,” the statement added.
