2027: Lagos LP Queries INEC Over ‘Strange’ Guber Candidate

The Lagos State chapter of the Labour Party, LP, has queried the governorship candidate listed for the party by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, ahead of the 2027 election, insisting that Lanre Adeleke won its governorship primary held on May 30, 2026.

The party made its position known in a statement signed by its Lagos State official, Ola Agboola, ahead of a special press conference called to address the disagreement over the outcome of the governorship primary.

According to the Lagos LP, the primary was conducted on May 30 in line with the Electoral Act, the party’s constitution and guidelines issued by INEC. It noted that the party’s national timetable had been changed to accommodate the May 30 date for the governorship and other primary elections.

The state chapter said delegates from the 20 local government areas of Lagos took part in the exercise, during which Adeleke was affirmed as the party’s governorship candidate.

The party also said INEC officials, party agents, security personnel and members of the media were present at the primary.

However, the Lagos LP said it later discovered that the name published by INEC as its governorship candidate was different from the person it said emerged from the May 30 primary.

The party said it was surprised by the development and had begun steps within its structures to challenge the listing and defend what it described as the mandate given to Adeleke by its members.

It disclosed that petitions had been sent to the party’s National Working Committee, while discussions had also taken place with relevant stakeholders in an effort to settle the matter.

The party further said Adeleke had gone to court to challenge the development and seek legal redress.

The Lagos chapter said the special press conference was organised to present its account of what happened during the primary and the events that followed.

It urged its members, Lagos residents and Nigerians to take note of its position on the matter as the dispute continues.

The Labour Party also called for the protection of internal democracy within political parties, arguing that the outcome of a valid primary should not be overturned through administrative mistakes or political interference.

The party said it would continue to pursue the matter through peaceful and legal means as it seeks a resolution ahead of the 2027 election.