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

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2 months ago

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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.

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Politics

2027 Election Shock: Three Parties Miss INEC Deadline, Presidential Ambitions in Jeopardy

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6 hours ago

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July 15, 2026

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Three political parties failed to submit their presidential and vice-presidential candidates on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal, which closed at 11:59 pm on Tuesday.

This was confirmed by an INEC official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment publicly on the matter.

Daily voice understands that the affected parties are the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction led by Nyesom Wike, and the Labour Party (LP) faction led by Nenadi Usman.

“As of now, only about three political parties are yet to upload the names of their presidential and running mate candidates. They are APGA, the PDP (Wike faction) and the LP (Nenadi faction). Virtually every other party has filed its candidates,” the official said as quoted by Daily Trust.

The commission had warned that no further extension would be granted.

Apart from the three parties said to have missed the deadline for uploading their candidates, the INEC official said almost all registered political parties have successfully uploaded the names of their candidates for the 2027 general elections.

The 2027 presidential election is scheduled to be held on Saturday, 16th January.

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Politics

Niger Governor Bago Announces Running Mate For 2027 Election

Published

8 hours ago

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July 15, 2026

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Niger State Governor, Umaru Mohammed Bago, has officially confirmed that he will retain his Deputy Governor, Yakubu Garba, as his running mate for the 2027 governorship election, putting to rest speculation surrounding the composition of his re-election ticket. Government

Governor Bago made the announcement on Tuesday during a gathering at the Government House in Minna, where he declared that Garba would remain his deputy on the 2027 ticket. He further disclosed that Garba’s name would be submitted alongside his to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as required by law.

The governor explained that the Nigerian Constitution mandates every governorship candidate to nominate a deputy when submitting nomination forms to INEC. He noted that recent rumours had created uncertainty over his choice of running mate, prompting him to publicly reaffirm Garba’s position.

Bago stated that the decision was intended to end months of speculation and reassure party members and supporters that Yakubu Garba remains his preferred deputy for the next electoral cycle.

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Politics

Muslim- Muslim Ticket: Former Speaker Breaks Silence on Dumping APC

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14 hours ago

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July 15, 2026

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APC Schedules July 24 NEC For Ganduje Replacement

A former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has dismissed reports that he plans to leave the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the party’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general election.

Naija News reports that Dogara described the reports as false and politically motivated, insisting that he remained a loyal member of the ruling party.

The clarification was contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by his spokesperson, Dr Dominic Alancha.

According to the statement, the former Speaker is committed to working for the victory of the APC and the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

Alancha said reports suggesting that Dogara was considering leaving the party were deliberately fabricated to create tension within the APC.

He said, “We wish to state categorically that these claims are false, baseless, and deliberately intended to mislead the public and create unnecessary political tension.

“Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara remains a committed and loyal member of the All Progressives Congress. He has neither resigned from the party nor expressed any intention to do so.”

The spokesperson accused unnamed individuals of attempting to exploit the reports to cause division among members of the party.

“Reports suggesting otherwise are the handiwork of mischief makers seeking to sow division within the APC,” the statement added.

Dogara Committed To APC Victory

Alancha said Dogara was already working with party leaders and members to strengthen the APC ahead of the next general election.

The statement read, “As a statesman and experienced democrat, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara remains steadfast in his commitment to the unity, growth, and success of the APC.

“He is fully dedicated to working with party leaders, members, and supporters across the country to strengthen the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.”

The statement stressed that Dogara’s political focus remained on supporting the ruling party and contributing to its electoral success.

Dogara also pledged his support for Tinubu’s bid for a second term, according to the statement.

 

“Furthermore, Rt. Hon. Dogara is committed to supporting the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and ensuring the victory of the APC in the 2027 general election,” Alancha stated.

He added that the former Speaker remained focused on promoting good governance, national unity and development under the APC-led administration.

Alancha urged members of the public and the media to disregard unverified reports about Dogara’s political future.

He added, “We urge members of the public and the media to disregard the fake reports and rely only on verified information from credible and official sources.

“Those behind these unfounded allegations should desist from spreading falsehoods capable of undermining the unity of our great party

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