Labour Party zones 2027 Presidential ticket to South

The Labour Party has officially declared that it will not field a presidential candidate from Northern Nigeria for the 2027 general elections, firmly affirming that it has zoned the position to the South.

Addressing journalists on Tuesday following a consultative meeting between the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and various political leaders, the interim National Chairman of the Labour Party, Nenadi Usman, clarified the party’s strategic direction.

She emphasized that while the party remains open to aspirants, it will not actively solicit individuals to run on its platform, asserting that the party's structure exists for those ready to lead.

The announcement comes amid a shifting political landscape for the party. While Peter Obi and Datti Baba-Ahmed led the Labour Party ticket in 2023, Obi has since moved to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), leaving the identity of the party’s next standard-bearer uncertain.

Despite this vacancy, Usman maintained that the decision to exclude Northern aspirants from the top of the ticket is final.

"We have one certain decision that we have taken, and that is to say that we will certainly not field any aspirant from Northern Nigeria," Usman stated.

She further clarified that any Northern candidate attempting to contest for the presidential slot would not be accepted by the party leadership under the current zoning arrangement.

Regarding the specific identity of a future candidate, the interim Chairman noted that naming a preferred individual at this stage would undermine the party's commitment to internal democracy.

She insisted that the Labour Party intends to uphold a transparent primary process where the eventual winner will be determined by the will of the members.

According to Usman, the party will allow the democratic process to unfold naturally, ensuring that the candidate who emerges from the southern zone truly reflects the choice of the people.