Connect with us

Politics

Peter Obi’s Exit Wouldn’t Affect 2027 Performance – LP

Published

4 weeks ago

on

The Labour Party on Thursday dismissed concerns that the exit of its former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, would weaken the party’s chances ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The National Chairman of the party, Nenadi Usman, gave the assurance during the screening of aspirants at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja ahead of the 2027 polls.

Responding to questions on whether Obi’s departure would affect the strength of the party, Usman said the growing number of aspirants seeking to contest on the Labour Party platform showed that the party remained formidable.

She said, “I don’t think so. Judging from the number of people who indicated interest in using the party as a platform to contest the election, I think the party is still strong.

“I’m happy that the screening process is pretty much a very wonderful exercise. I am also impressed with the turnout of aspirants.”

Speaking on the number of presidential aspirants and the possibility of adopting consensus for the primaries, Usman reiterated that the party had zoned its presidential ticket to the South.

She also announced that the leadership may decide its 2027 flag bearer through consensus at the primary.

“It’s encouraging. I think we have three people who have purchased forms. But don’t forget that we have decided that, as a party, our next presidential flagbearer should come from the South. So, that will definitely limit the number of people who would buy the forms from us.

“Yes, we are hoping for a consensus. But whoever emerges will be thoroughly screened. That is also because to be the president of this great country that has over 250 million people, we need to screen really well before clearing him. But I assure you it will be free and fair,” she added.

Also speaking, the Senator representing Abia South, Enyinnaya Abaribe, declared that the Labour Party was positioned to sweep all elective offices in Abia State during the 2027 elections.

Abaribe said the party-controlled state had demonstrated capacity through people-oriented projects executed by the administration of Governor Alex Otti.

The senator, who appeared for the screening exercise alongside other aspirants from Abia State, said the governor had delivered the dividends of democracy to the people.

He said, “We are here to be screened as the constitution requires, and we trust the judgment of the screening committee whose job is to select ably qualified candidates. Abia is for the Labour Party, and the party is for the state.

“Having said this, I would state here that the party will win all elections beginning from the Governorship, Senatorial, House of Representatives and the States Assembly.”

Similarly, a member of the House of Representatives representing Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency, Alex Ikwechegh, expressed confidence in retaining his seat, noting that no aspirant purchased nomination forms to challenge him.

“I’m very confident that we will come out on top. I’m sure you’re very much aware that in my constituency, no one procured a form to run against me in Aba North/ South Federal Constituency. And the reason for this is simple. We have performed well, and also because of the way that our party tends to conduct their political activities.

“Special thanks to the leader of the party, His Excellency Dr Alex Otti, the governor of Abia State, who has performed exceptionally well. You can see the Labour Party and Abia are on the rise.

“So I’m confident that on May 30, when the primaries will eventually be conducted, we are going to emerge victorious since it’s very apparent that no one else has procured the nomination form to run against us,” he said.

On whether he supported the move for consensus candidates, Ikwechegh described consensus as a legitimate democratic arrangement recognised by law.

“If stakeholders come together and say we are willing to align with the incumbent or the person they feel is most competent. Consensus is basically like a gentleman’s arrangement. It has been adopted in the Electoral Act.

“However, stakeholders are the ones to come together as well as the party faithful to say, this is the candidate who we believe has the most opportunity to win the general election. And I believe that is what has happened in Abia, where stakeholders have all come together to say they are going to align with the person that the party has selected,” he stated.

Reacting to the recent outcome of the APC primaries in which several serving lawmakers and political heavyweights lost their tickets, Ikwechegh said such developments were not unusual in a large political party.

He said, “The truth is that I am not a member of the APC and I have never been one. It was speculated at one time, when we went to observe Iftar with the president, that he had induced me to join the APC. That is not true.

“The APC is one of the biggest parties in Africa, if not the biggest. And it is normal for people to drop out or be defeated when a popular candidate wins an election. There are so many people in the National Assembly that I never thought in my lifetime would lose the primary election in the APC. But they have.

“So I want to just say we are members of the Labour Party and we are continuing with our Labour Party activities,” he added.

Also, the member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency and Deputy Chairman, House Committee on FCT Judiciary, Ibe Osonwa, said stakeholders in Abia had reached agreements on candidates considered best suited to represent the people.

“So, all stakeholders were brought together. We discussed each area and we agreed that certain persons serve the best interest of our people in the State Assemblies, House of Reps and Senatorial Zones. And that’s how we worked it,” he said.

Related Topics:
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Politics

2027 Presidency: Atiku Reportedly Opens Talks With New Party as ADC Faces Deregistration Battle 

Published

16 hours ago

on

June 16, 2026

By

Fresh reports suggest that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is holding discussions with leaders of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) amid growing uncertainty surrounding the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The development comes in the wake of reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deregistered several political parties, including the ADC, a situation that has triggered fresh calculations among opposition politicians ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Sources familiar with the discussions said Atiku is exploring the possibility of returning to the PRP, a party that played a significant role in Nigeria’s political history. While neither Atiku nor the PRP leadership has officially confirmed the move, the talks have sparked widespread speculation within political circles.

The reported negotiations have generated mixed reactions among Nigerians, with many questioning whether another change of political platform would offer a genuine alternative to the country’s existing political order.

Political analysts say the ongoing developments highlight the fluid nature of Nigeria’s political landscape as major actors reposition themselves ahead of the next presidential election. The possible alliance between Atiku and the PRP could reshape opposition politics and influence coalition-building efforts in the coming months.

As uncertainty continues to surround the future of the ADC and other affected parties, attention is now focused on Atiku’s next political move and what it could mean for the battle for power in 2027.

The latest development adds another layer of intrigue to an election cycle already marked by defections, strategic alliances, and intense political maneuvering, reinforcing expectations that the road to 2027 will be filled with major surprises.

Continue Reading

Politics

BREAKING: Kenneth Okonkwo Dumps Atiku, Gives Shocking Reason

Published

2 days ago

on

June 15, 2026

By

Nollywood actor and politician Kenneth Okonkwo has withdrawn his support for the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, citing the continued marginalisation of the South-East geopolitical zone.

Okonkwo’s decision followed the official announcement by the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, confirming former Rivers State Governor and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, from the South-South, as Atiku’s vice-presidential running mate for the 2027 general election.

Reacting to the development, Okonkwo stated that any arrangement excluding the South-East from the top two executive positions in 2027 perpetuates unpardonable injustice against his people.

He emphasized that the region has not produced a President or Vice President since 1999 and noted that the ADC’s founder, Ralphs Nwosu, did not sacrifice leadership of the party in 2025 to enable the marginalisation of his own zone.

Okonkwo maintained that he would not campaign for any presidential ticket that fails to include a person of South-East origin as President or Vice President in 2027.

Okonkwo shared his decision in a statement released on his official X handle:

I heard from the social media that ADC has picked its vice presidential candidate from the South-South. If this is true, it is unfortunate, as this will continue the crude marginalisation of the South-East.

This Geo-Political Zone has neither produced a President or Vice President since 1999. To deny the South-East the opportunity to produce the President or Vice President in ADC in 2027 will amount to perpetuating the marginalisation.

The ADC was founded by Ralphs Nwosu from the South-East in 2005. He made the sacrifice to give up the party in 2025 for the coalition to usher in a better Nigeria. He couldn’t have made that sacrifice to marginalise his own people.

I did not join the coalition to assist in marginalisation of my own people further. I am of the opinion that if we made a sacrifice to give up the National Chairman and the President, it will amount to unpardonable injustice to deny us the Vice President in 2027.

I joined politics to fight for a better Nigeria where no region, Geo-Political Zone, or person will be marginalised.

The only favour I asked Atiku Abubakar, who openly declared that he is the pathway to the presidency of the South-East, is to show it by choosing someone from the South-East to be his Vice.

If it is confirmed that he has chosen a candidate from the South-South, I wish him well. I am not favourably disposed to campaigning for any presidential ticket that does not have a person of South-East origin as President or Vice in 2027.

Continue Reading

Politics

Popular ADC Supporter Withdraws Support For Atiku, Cites Reasons

Published

2 days ago

on

June 15, 2026

By

Okonkwo Confirms Open 2027 Coalition Ticket

Nollywood actor and politician Kenneth Okonkwo has withdrawn his support for the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, citing the continued marginalization of the South-East geopolitical zone.

Okonkwo’s decision followed the official announcement by the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, confirming former Rivers State Governor and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, from the South-South, as Atiku’s vice-presidential running mate for the 2027 general election.

Reacting to the development, Okonkwo stated that any arrangement excluding the South-East from the top two executive positions in 2027 perpetuates unpardonable injustice against his people.

He emphasized that the region has not produced a President or Vice President since 1999 and noted that the ADC’s founder, Ralphs Nwosu, did not sacrifice leadership of the party in 2025 to enable the marginalisation of his own zone.

Okonkwo maintained that he would not campaign for any presidential ticket that fails to include a person of South-East origin as President or Vice President in 2027.

Okonkwo shared his decision in a statement released on his official X handle:

I heard from the social media that ADC has picked its vice presidential candidate from the South-South. If this is true, it is unfortunate, as this will continue the crude marginalisation of the South-East.

This Geo-Political Zone has neither produced a President or Vice President since 1999. To deny the South-East the opportunity to produce the President or Vice President in ADC in 2027 will amount to perpetuating the marginalisation.

The ADC was founded by Ralphs Nwosu from the South-East in 2005. He made the sacrifice to give up the party in 2025 for the coalition to usher in a better Nigeria. He couldn’t have made that sacrifice to marginalise his own people.

I did not join the coalition to assist in marginalisation of my own people further. I am of the opinion that if we made a sacrifice to give up the National Chairman and the President, it will amount to unpardonable injustice to deny us the Vice President in 2027.

I joined politics to fight for a better Nigeria where no region, Geo-Political Zone, or person will be marginalised.

The only favour I asked Atiku Abubakar, who openly declared that he is the pathway to the presidency of the South-East, is to show it by choosing someone from the South-East to be his Vice.

If it is confirmed that he has chosen a candidate from the South-South, I  wish him well. I am not favourably disposed to campaigning for any presidential ticket that does not have a person of South-East origin as President or Vice in 2027.

Continue Reading

Trending