The embattled National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, has announced that the party’s presidential ticket for the 2027 election is no longer exclusively reserved for former candidate Peter Obi.
During a press briefing following the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Monday, Abure declared that the presidential ticket for 2027, along with all other party tickets, is now open to all qualified members. He stated, “The NEC has reviewed the previous decision to reserve the Presidential and Governorship tickets for Peter Gregory Obi and Alex Otti, respectively. Consequently, all party tickets, from the Presidency to the House of Assemblies, are now open to all qualified Nigerians.”
Abure also clarified that there will be no automatic second-term ticket for the Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, on the party’s platform. He emphasized that the seat will be open to other candidates.
Additionally, Abure addressed concerns regarding a recent stakeholders’ meeting convened by Governor Alex Otti, led by former Senator Nenadi Usman. Abure asserted that Otti did not have the constitutional authority to call the meeting, stating, “The NEC noted that the Governor of Abia State, His Excellency Alex Otti, who convened the meeting, did not have the power as per the Party’s Constitution. Article 14 (4) (B) grants the authority to call meetings solely to the National Secretary with the National Chairman’s approval.”
He further pointed out that the meeting violated the provisions of Section 82 (1) (2) (a) of the Electoral Act 2022, which mandates a 21-day notice to the Commission for any convention, congress, conference, or meeting related to mergers or electing governing bodies.
Abure stressed that no governor can remove them from office or dissolve key party structures. “No governor, regardless of their position, can harass us out of office or dissolve the National Working Committee, state councils, or local government councils. Even a military government would not have the authority to do that. The mandate given to me and my team as leaders of the Labour Party will be defended,” he said.
Abure criticized the recent developments within the party, particularly the meeting in Abia State, which he described as an attempt to create division within the party. He condemned the actions led by Peter Obi and Governor Alex Otti, labeling them as a betrayal of the Labour Party’s values. “This meeting, held without the NEC’s authority, sought to install a so-called ‘new leadership’. It was not only illegal but also a betrayal of the principles the Labour Party stands for,” he concluded.
