The Labour Party (LP) has dismissed reports claiming that its 2027 presidential ticket has been zoned to the South-East, insisting that such claims were taken out of context.
In a statement released by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the LP emphasized its status as a national party with widespread support across Nigeria, making the issue of zoning irrelevant.
“Labour Party is a national party and has large followership across the country, and therefore, the issue of zoning does not arise,” the statement read.
Ifoh clarified that comments made by the party’s National Chairman, Julius Abure, were misrepresented. He explained that Abure, while addressing some South-East members on Saturday, merely encouraged them to build stronger alliances with other regions to enhance their chances in future elections.
Drawing comparisons to the political strategies of the Yoruba bloc, the LP spokesman suggested that similar realignments could help the South-East achieve its presidential aspirations.
“In the 2023 general elections, the party won seats in the North and across the southern states, and we are working hard to surpass that achievement in future elections,” the statement added.
The party reiterated that all candidates for elective positions must emerge through a democratic and competitive process, as enshrined in the LP constitution, which does not support zoning.
“We regret the misinterpretation of the party’s noble intention by a section of the media. Our party was quoted out of context,” Ifoh stated.
The clarification follows speculation about the party’s stance for the 2027 elections. In the 2023 presidential race, LP fielded former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, who finished behind the eventual winner, Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
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