The Labour Party has officially closed the door on the possibility of its former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, contesting under its banner in the 2027 general elections. This decision stems from legal and procedural constraints, as articulated by the party's interim caretaker committee chairperson, Nenadi Usman.
Usman stated during a television interview that Obi's departure from the party to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) last year makes any potential return for the 2027 race legally unfeasible. She emphasized that the party's rules and the established electoral processes do not permit a late reentry, especially after the closure of the voter register for primaries.
According to Usman, once the party's e-register is finalized and submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) 21 days before party primaries, no new candidate can be registered or allowed to contest. "It will actually be too late for him to come back. At some point, we close the register, and once we close it 21 days before the primaries and submit the e-register to INEC, you can’t come from behind the door for us to register you and for you to contest. That would be legally impossible," she explained.
Despite this firm stance, Usman acknowledged Peter Obi's significant contribution to the Labour Party's national visibility during the 2023 elections. She credited him with elevating the party's profile and bringing many new members, including herself, into its fold based on principles of equity and fair play.
This development follows a recent legal victory for the Usman-led faction of the Labour Party. The Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal filed by Julius Abure, who was challenging earlier rulings concerning the party's leadership dispute. Usman noted that this judgment validates the caretaker leadership and facilitates the party's rebuilding efforts.
Usman also alleged that certain individuals have been using litigation to undermine the party's stability, describing it as an abuse of court processes. She pointed out instances where multiple cases were filed in different courts seeking the same outcome, all with the aim of destabilizing the party.
The Labour Party is reportedly planning to hold its congresses and a national convention in Umuahia, Abia State. Usman indicated that the convention is intended to foster unity and re-establish institutional order within the party. She confirmed that invitations have been extended to all internal factions, including Abure's group, as part of reconciliation initiatives.
"We’ve extended an olive branch. We just want to build the party," Usman stated, signaling a commitment to collective rebuilding efforts. She also cautioned against any attempts to transform the party's structure into a permanent personal fiefdom, advocating for leadership that adheres to tenure limits and prioritizes the party's longevity over individual ambitions.
Usman stressed that the Labour Party's future success relies on its institutional strength rather than the prominence of any single political figure. "The Labour Party is not tied to any one person. By the time we gather for the convention, we will see a more united party," she asserted.
These remarks come at a time when Peter Obi's political future is a subject of considerable speculation, particularly following internal challenges within the ADC, his current party. The possibility of his return to the Labour Party had been a topic of discussion in political circles, making Usman's statements a significant political signal intended to quell such notions.
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