The Labour Party has announced the rescheduling of its 2027 primary elections, citing a clash with national events, while reaffirming Senator Nenadi Usman as the party’s recognised national chairman.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Eluma Asogwa, the party said the governorship and State House of Assembly primaries earlier fixed for May 27, 2026, and the presidential and National Assembly primaries scheduled for May 29, 2026, have been moved.
According to the statement, all primaries for the offices of President, Governor, Senate, House of Representatives and State Houses of Assembly will now hold simultaneously on Saturday, May 30, 2026.
The party explained that the adjustment became necessary because the earlier dates coincided with important national events.
“The May 27 date coincides with the 2026 Eid el-Kabir celebration, while May 29 marks the anniversary of the inauguration of elected public office holders across the country,” the statement said.
The Labour Party expressed regret over any inconvenience the change might cause aspirants, stakeholders and supporters, while appreciating members for their understanding and cooperation.
Meanwhile, the party’s National Chairman, Senator Nenadi Usman, maintained that there is only one recognised leadership of the Labour Party, warning members against obtaining nomination forms from the faction led by Julius Abure.
Usman disclosed this on the sidelines of the ongoing screening exercise for aspirants seeking to contest the 2027 elections on the party’s platform.
She said the party had already petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies over what she described as the illegal sale of nomination forms by the Abure faction.
“We do not have any leadership tussle. The courts have spoken, and we have petitioned INEC and security agencies over the anomaly of illegal nomination forms being issued to members of our party,” she said.
Usman, who also chairs the party’s screening committee, further revealed that the Labour Party had zoned its presidential ticket to the southern part of the country.
She added that three presidential aspirants had so far obtained nomination forms ahead of the primaries.
Also speaking, the senator representing Abia South, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, expressed confidence that the Labour Party would dominate the 2027 elections in Abia State.
Abaribe, who appeared before the screening committee alongside other aspirants, said the Labour Party-led administration in the state had demonstrated capacity through people-oriented projects and effective governance.
“The state governor has given the people quality representation and the dividends of democracy,” he said.
“We are here to be screened as required by the constitution, and we trust the judgment of the committee saddled with the responsibility of selecting qualified candidates. Abia State is for the Labour Party, and the Labour Party is Abia State,” Abaribe added.
