From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Labour Party (LP) has declared that no aspirant from Northern Nigeria will contest its 2027 presidential ticket, formally zoning the position to the South in a decisive move aimed at clarifying its electoral direction ahead of the general elections.
Chairman of the party’s National Caretaker Committee, Senator Nenadi Usman, made this known on Tuesday in Abuja after a consultative meeting with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), describing the decision as a firm and non-negotiable policy.
Nemadi stated that the party had taken a clear position to restrict the presidential race to Southern aspirants, stressing that any expression of interest from the North would not be entertained.
“We have taken a definite position. We will not field any aspirant from Northern Nigeria. The ticket has been zoned to the South, and any Northerner who indicates interest will not be accepted,” she said.
Nenadi, however, assured that despite the zoning arrangement, the party would uphold internal democracy by allowing aspirants from the South to emerge through a transparent and competitive primary process.
“As for who will emerge, I cannot say now because that would undermine democracy. The people will decide through the primaries,” she added.
The development follows a legal victory for the party’s leadership, as a High Court sitting in Yenagoa dismissed a suit challenging the legitimacy of the National Caretaker Committee.
Nenadi explained that the case was struck out for lack of locus standi, effectively affirming the committee’s authority to manage the party’s affairs.
“Fortunately, the case was dismissed. The court found that the plaintiffs had no locus standi, and that brings the matter to a close,” she noted.
On the party’s forthcoming congresses, earlier scheduled to commence on March 26, the LP hinted at a possible adjustment to the timetable due to a surge in membership.
According to Nenadi, proceeding with the current schedule could disenfranchise many intending members, stressing the need for inclusiveness.
“If we go ahead with the date as planned, we risk excluding many people who want to join. We may need to adjust the timetable to ensure inclusiveness,” she said.
The party also confirmed that it has petitioned the Nigeria Police Force over a recent security breach involving its property, expressing confidence that those responsible would be brought to justice.
Nenadi added that decisive action by security agencies would help deter future incidents of political violence, as the party intensifies preparations for the 2027 elections.
