Labour Party Zones 2027 Presidential Ticket to South, Bars Northern Aspirants

The Labour Party Nigeria has officially zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the southern region, effectively excluding northern aspirants from contesting under its platform in the upcoming general election.

The party’s national chairperson, Nenadi Usman, announced the decision on Tuesday in Abuja, describing it as a final resolution already agreed upon within the party’s internal structures.

“We have taken a firm decision that we will not field any aspirant from northern Nigeria. The ticket has been zoned to the south,” she said.

Usman explained that the zoning arrangement is aimed at ensuring balance and cohesion within the party, while also aligning with internal consensus among stakeholders. She added that any attempt by northern aspirants to seek the party’s presidential ticket would not be entertained under the current framework.

Despite the zoning decision, Usman clarified that the selection of a candidate will still follow democratic procedures through party primaries. According to her, the emergence of the party’s flagbearer will be determined by members, not imposed by leadership.

“As for who emerges, it must be through democratic primaries. The people will decide,” she stated.

She also emphasized that the party does not engage in recruiting or persuading individuals to contest on its platform, noting that aspirants must voluntarily align with the party’s ideology and processes.

Internal Party Matters and Legal Disputes

On internal disputes, Usman disclosed that a legal challenge questioning the dissolution of the party’s national caretaker committee had been dismissed by a court for lacking merit. She described the ruling as a validation of the party’s decisions and governance structure.

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The development comes amid ongoing efforts by the Labour Party to stabilise its leadership framework following internal disagreements that have previously affected its operations since its emergence as a major opposition force after the 2023 general elections.

Membership Expansion and Congress Plans

Usman also indicated that the party may reconsider the timing of its upcoming congresses due to a surge in new memberships across the country. She warned that proceeding with the initially scheduled date could disenfranchise newly registered members who may not be fully captured in the party’s records.

“If we proceed with the current date, many new members may be disenfranchised,” she said, suggesting that adjustments could be made to accommodate the growing base.

Security Concerns and Registration Process

The party chairperson further revealed that the Labour Party had reported an attack on one of its offices to law enforcement authorities and expressed confidence that those responsible would be held accountable.

In addition, Usman encouraged members to embrace digital registration systems, noting that manual registration should be reserved for individuals in remote areas with limited access to technology. This, she said, would help improve transparency, efficiency, and data management within the party.

Political Implications

The zoning decision is expected to shape internal dynamics within the Labour Party ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly as aspirants from different regions reassess their ambitions. It also reflects the broader practice of zoning in Nigeria’s political system, where parties often rotate key positions among regions to promote balance and inclusivity.

As the party continues to expand its membership and organise its internal structures, attention is now shifting toward its primaries and how it intends to consolidate its position as a major opposition platform in the country.

Labour Party Zones 2027 Presidential Ticket to South, Bars Northern Aspirants

Kwankwaso Set to Join ADC Wednesday as Defection Talks Intensify

Strong indications have emerged that former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, may formally obtain his membership card of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Wednesday, signalling a potential major shift in Nigeria’s opposition landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.

Sources within the ADC leadership disclosed that Kwankwaso is expected to register in his hometown, Kwankwaso, located in Madobi Local Government Area of Kano State. The move follows weeks of political consultations and high-level engagements involving the former governor.

Kwankwaso, who was the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the 2023 election, has recently hosted several key figures within the ADC at his Kano residence, fuelling speculation about an imminent defection.

Among those who visited him is Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party Nigeria, as well as Seyi Makinde, whose meeting with Kwankwaso has further intensified talks of a broader opposition coalition.

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Makinde is a leading figure in a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party Nigeria (PDP), aligned with Kabiru Turaki, SAN. The faction remains locked in a prolonged leadership dispute with another camp associated with Nyesom Wike, highlighting deep divisions within the opposition party.

Political observers say the internal crisis within the PDP, alongside challenges in other opposition parties, has accelerated discussions around a possible realignment ahead of 2027, with the ADC increasingly seen as a potential platform for coalition-building.

Meanwhile, the ADC leadership has continued efforts to reposition the party structurally. On Tuesday, the party received the report of its constitution review committee, a move aimed at strengthening internal democracy and enhancing transparency.

The report was received by the party’s National Legal Adviser, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor, on behalf of the National Chairman, David Mark. In a statement delivered on his behalf, Mark emphasised that the review process must reflect current political realities and meet the expectations of party members nationwide.

He noted that the review involved wide consultations across states, zones, and key stakeholders, describing the process as inclusive and necessary for building a stronger political platform.

“As we receive this report today, let me assure you that the National Working Committee will carefully study its recommendations with utmost seriousness,” the statement read.

Analysts believe that Kwankwaso’s expected defection, if confirmed, could significantly reshape opposition dynamics, particularly if it aligns with ongoing talks involving other influential political figures seeking a united front against the ruling party in the next general election.

Kwankwaso Set to Join ADC Wednesday as Defection Talks Intensify

2027: Kalu Warns APC Chairman Over Opposition Governors’ Vote Pledges for Tinubu

Former Abia State Governor and Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has cautioned the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, against depending on opposition governors’ promises to deliver votes for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Kalu made the remarks during the APC’s screening exercise for aspirants ahead of the party’s national convention, where he also moved a motion that the party chairman should “take a bow and go” in recognition of his leadership.

Speaking at the event, Kalu urged the APC leadership to prioritize strengthening internal structures and grassroots mobilization rather than relying on external political assurances. He specifically warned that claims by opposition governors about delivering a percentage of votes should not be taken as guaranteed support at the polls.

He emphasized that electoral success depends on party unity, grassroots engagement, and voter mobilization, stressing that the APC must focus on delivering overwhelming support for the president rather than targeting minimal benchmarks. According to him, “One appeal I want to make to you is don’t be carried away by the governors of opposition parties promising to give Mr President 25 per cent during next year’s presidential election. We need 100 per cent vote delivery.”

Kalu further noted that political allegiance should be clearly defined, adding that individuals who genuinely support the president should formally join the APC instead of remaining outside while offering verbal support. He argued that party membership comes with responsibilities that cannot be substituted by informal political friendships.

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In his remarks, he also praised the APC chairman’s experience, describing him as a disciplined leader with a strong background in electoral processes and public service. Kalu encouraged him to continue building the party’s structure and expanding its reach nationwide, describing human resources as the foundation of political success.

Responding, Nentawe Yilwatda highlighted the APC’s growing influence across Nigeria, noting that the party currently maintains presence in all six geopolitical zones. He pointed to recent by-election victories across regions including the North, South West, South South, and South East as evidence of the party’s nationwide acceptance.

He added that the APC has continued to consolidate its internal processes, with many disputes being resolved through arbitration rather than prolonged court battles. According to him, this reflects the party’s commitment to internal cohesion and institutional stability.

Yilwatda also addressed the issue of membership influx, stating that while the party remains open to new entrants, it distinguishes clearly between registered members and friends of the party, emphasizing that full benefits and responsibilities are reserved for members.

The exchange highlights ongoing strategic positioning within the APC as preparations intensify ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with party leaders focusing on consolidation, unity, and grassroots strength as key pillars for electoral success.

2027: Kalu Warns APC Chairman Over Opposition Governors’ Vote Pledges for Tinubu