Labour Party ratifies Okereke, Otti as presidential, Abia guber candidates

By Jude Opara

The Labour Party (LP) on Thursday ratified the names of its candidates for the 2027 general elections.

A communique issued at the end of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held at the National Secretariait of the party, the party stated that Dr. Chibuzor Okereke emerged as its presidential candidate while Governor Alex Otti will fly the for the governorship election.

Also, Hon. Jonathan Gbafwi will represent the party in the Nasarawa state governorship election, just as Sen. Elisha Ishaku, Hon. Byuan Mathias Tewsse and Dr. Halilu Ma’azu Zubairu emerged as the party’s flag bearers for Adamawa, Benue and Gombe states respectively.
Similarly, there are other 23 candidates that will compete on the platform of the party.

Also for the senatorial election, the LP will be represented by 99 aspirants, including Sen. Darlington Nwokocha for the Abia Central, while for the House of Representatives, 307 candidates will be flying the party’s flag, including Hon. Ginger Onwusibe from Isiala Ngwa North/South.

Hon. Emmanuel Emereuwa leads the pack of 776 candidates from different state constituencies across the country that will contest for the party.

Addressing the NEC, National Secretary, Hon. Iheanacho Obioma said the party conducted it’s primary elections across the 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in line with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, the Electoral Act 2026, and the Labour Party Constitution 2026, and the Labour Party Electoral Guidelines for the 2026 Primary Elections.

Obioma added that the LP in carrying out the assignment, remained committed to the principles of internal democracy, transparency, fairness, inclusiveness and compliance with all the applicable laws and regulations.

“We undertook a comprehensive digital registration and revalidation of membership records nationwide.
Following the completion of the exercise, the Party compiled and submitted its Digital Membership Register to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in compliance with the provisions of Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026”.

In the mode of primary adopted, the scribe explained; “In accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and the Labour Party Constitution 2026, the party adopted both: the Consensus, and Direct Primary Method for the nomination of candidates across different states and constituencies, depending on the circumstances and resolutions reached by stakeholders in the affected jurisdictions”.

After the presentation, the Secretary urged the meeting to ratify the nominated candidates and approve the submission of the list to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as required by law.

The NEC also commended the National Leadership of the Party, members of the National Executive Committee, the Electoral Committees, Screening Committees, State Chapters/Organs, Aspirants, Party Members and all stakeholders for their dedication and cooperation which contributed to the successful completion of the exercise.