LP sets 2027 presidential ticket to South as court throws out leadership challenge

The Labor Party (LP) has officially assigned its presidential candidate for the 2027 elections to Southern Nigeria, excluding presidential candidates from the Northern region, and the party also scored a legal victory by rejecting a challenge to its current leadership.

Chairperson of the party’s National Caretaker Committee, Esther Nenadi-Usman, revealed the development in Abuja following a consultative meeting with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He explained that the decision represented a clear policy direction ahead of the next elections, aimed at guiding potential presidential candidates and ensuring internal clarity within the party.

“We have one definite decision that we have taken. This means that we will definitely not field a candidate from Northern Nigeria. We have assigned the position to Southern Nigeria.

“So if there are citizens from the north who come and want to take part in the elections, we certainly will not accept them.”

Regardless of the zoning decision, Nenadi-Usman emphasized that her party will uphold democratic principles in selecting its candidates, and noted that the process will remain open and competitive.

“Regarding who, I can’t tell you now because then it won’t be democratic. When the candidates come, who the people like and choose in the primary election, then whoever wins in the primary election, then we will place them in that position,” he said.

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This announcement came shortly after the High Court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, dismissed a lawsuit challenging the legitimacy of the National Caretaker Committee.

Responding to the decision, the LP chairman expressed satisfaction with the outcome, and described it as a vindication of leadership.

“Thank God, this case was dismissed. The court found that they had no locus standi. I believe the judge did his best by standing on the truth and this case is now annulled, so it’s over,” he said.

Regarding the party’s internal calendar, Nenadi-Usman hinted that the schedule for the upcoming congress might be reviewed in light of increasing interest from members.

He warned that proceeding with the election as scheduled could exclude many newcomers who want to participate in the party process.

“If we stick to that date, I think, we will disenfranchise a number of people. I think we should tweak the date, sit down as a group and set a new date,” said Nenadi-Usman.

He also discussed recent security incidents involving party assets, and emphasized that the matter had been officially reported to law enforcement authorities.

The chairman expressed confidence that those responsible would be brought to justice, and stated that such action would help prevent future acts of political violence.