The Labour Party has said that no aspirant, including former presidential candidate Peter Obi, will receive an automatic ticket ahead of the 2027 elections. The party made this known while questions continued to grow about Obi’s political plans and his strained relationship with the current leadership led by Julius Abure.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, explained in an interview that every person seeking to contest under the party must take part in a normal primary process. He stated that all tickets, whether for the presidency, governorship, or other positions, will be decided at the party’s convention. He also noted that Obi has not been in contact with the present leadership for almost a year, and only Obi can disclose whether he plans to remain in the party or move elsewhere.
Ifoh explained that the recent NEC meeting did not discuss Obi’s position because the gathering focused on starting congresses and primaries across the states. He said the party had already conducted some primaries and was preparing for others, adding that the Independent National Electoral Commission monitored the activities.
The dispute between Obi and Abure began after the 2023 presidential election. Obi’s supporters accused the chairman of poor management of party funds, refusal to account for donations, and attempts to hold on to party structures without consulting other stakeholders. Abure denied the claims, but several factions challenged his leadership in court, deepening the conflict and causing Obi to step away from party activities.
People close to Obi said he grew uncomfortable with the constant internal fights, court battles, and what he viewed as actions that weakened efforts to build a stable and credible political movement. By the start of 2024, he had quietly withdrawn from Labour Party operations, and communication between both sides nearly stopped.
The latest statement from Labour Party comes shortly after the African Democratic Congress asked Obi to decide if he would join its coalition for the 2027 polls. While the ADC acknowledged Obi’s influence, it made it clear that it would not change its zoning rules for him. Obi was recently linked to a YouTube interview where he reportedly raised concerns about instability in the coalition, but his media team later said he did not grant such an interview.
ADC spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi said that zoning remains unchanged, noting that Obi should only join under existing rules. However, Obi’s ally, Yunusa Tanko, called for patience from the ADC, saying Obi needs time to consult widely before choosing where to stand politically.
The situation has left Obi’s next move uncertain, as both Labour Party and ADC await his decision on the role he wants to play in the run-up to 2027.