The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Nenadi Usman, says the party remains strong and united despite ongoing leadership disputes and controversies surrounding the sale of nomination forms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking with journalists at the ongoing party’s screening exercise in Abuja, Usman described the process as successful and encouraging, noting that the growing number of aspirants seeking to contest on the party’s platform was proof of Labour Party’s rising strength nationwide.
She dismissed claims that the party was weakening, insisting that the level of participation by aspirants across the country demonstrated confidence in the Labour Party ahead of the elections.
Reacting to reports that former National Chairman, Julius Abure, was allegedly distributing free nomination forms, Usman described the action as illegal, misleading, and capable of deceiving unsuspecting supporters.
According to her, the party leadership was surprised by the development, especially after the Supreme Court ruling affirming that Abure’s tenure had expired, leading to the conduct of a national convention in Umuahia where new leaders emerged in the presence of INEC officials.
Usman stated that the party had petitioned the Inspector-General of Police and the Department of State Services over the circulation of unauthorized forms, adding that the Independent National Electoral Commission had also been formally notified.
She expressed confidence that the Supreme Court would maintain its earlier position on the party’s leadership dispute, stressing that the judiciary could not reverse itself on the issue of tenure expiration.
The Labour Party chairman also warned aspirants and supporters against purchasing fake nomination forms, revealing that some individuals had already fallen victim to the alleged scam.
Speaking on the 2027 presidential race, Usman stressed that three aspirants had already obtained presidential nomination forms, adding that the party had resolved that its next presidential candidate would emerge from Southern Nigeria.
She explained that while the party was considering a consensus arrangement for the presidential ticket, all aspirants would still undergo thorough screening to ensure the emergence of credible and competent candidates through a transparent process.
On his part, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who led aspirants from Abia State to the screening exercise, declared that the state was prepared to sweep all elective positions in the 2027 elections under the Labour Party platform.
Abaribe said the Labour Party administration in Abia had demonstrated capacity through people-oriented developmental projects and effective governance, adding that Governor Alex Otti had continued to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.
He expressed confidence in the screening committee, saying aspirants from the state were prepared for the process and optimistic that the Labour Party would secure victory in the governorship, National Assembly, and State Assembly elections.
Also speaking, House of Representatives member and Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Poverty Alleviation, Alex Ikwechegh, expressed confidence ahead of the primaries, saying stakeholders had rallied behind his candidacy for the Aba South Federal Constituency seat because of his performance and the growing popularity of the party in the state.
Ikwechegh noted that no other aspirant had obtained nomination forms to challenge him, describing the development as a reflection of unity, confidence, and satisfaction with his representation.
He defended the consensus arrangement adopted by the party, describing it as a democratic process recognized under the Electoral Act where stakeholders collectively align behind candidates considered most capable of winning the general election.
The lawmaker dismissed suggestions that consensus arrangements were designed to impose candidates, insisting that local stakeholders and party faithful played major roles in deciding who emerged as candidates within the party structure.
Similarly, the Deputy Chairman, House Committee on FCT Judiciary, Ibe Okwara Osonwa, defended the Labour Party’s consensus approach, saying it was adopted to preserve peace, unity, and stability within the party in Abia State.
Osonwa said the Labour Party’s leadership in the state deliberately encouraged dialogue and consultations among stakeholders to avoid the kind of internal crises and rancour currently being witnessed in other political parties, particularly the ruling All Progressives Congress.
