The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Labour Party (LP) has decided to open the competition for all its tickets ahead of the 2027 general elections, reversing a previous decision made at the party’s national convention in March 2024 in Nnewi, Anambra State.

Originally, the party had reserved its 2027 Presidential ticket for Peter Obi and the Abia State Governorship ticket for Alex Otti. However, the NEC meeting, chaired by LP National Chairman Julius Abure in Abuja, annulled this arrangement, making all party positions, from the Presidency to House of Assembly, available to all qualified candidates.

In addition, the NEC disassociated itself from the Interim Committee led by Senator Nanedi Usman, which had been set up to manage the party’s affairs for 90 days. It criticized a meeting held in Umuahia, Abia State, where some party leaders were reportedly removed and a caretaker committee established.

The NEC emphasized that Abia State Governor Alex Otti, who convened the meeting, did not have the authority to do so under the party’s constitution, which grants such powers only to the National Secretary with the approval of the National Chairman.

The NEC also pointed out that the provisions of the Electoral Act of 2022 were violated by the conveners of the Umuahia meeting. They reiterated that the Labour Party’s leadership, elected during the March 2024 convention, remains valid, and any attempts to claim otherwise are illegitimate.

The NEC called on INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu to refrain from supporting illegal actions and reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining party order. The resolutions were signed by Julius Abure and Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim, LP’s National Chairman and Secretary, respectively.