Nenadi Usman, the National Chairman of the Labour Party, has stated that it might be too late for the party's previous presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to rejoin and compete under the party's banner for the 2027 elections. Usman highlighted electoral regulations and internal party procedures as significant constraints.
During an interview on Arise Television's Prime Time programme on Wednesday, Usman explained that electoral laws require the party to finalize its register 21 days before primaries and submit it to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). She noted that after this point, it would be impossible to register a new candidate.
Usman acknowledged the substantial impact Peter Obi had on enhancing the Labour Party's public image during the most recent general elections, conceding that no current party member possesses the same level of political influence.
"Even me, he convinced me to come with him to the Labour Party and not just me, many people that are in Labour Party today were convinced by Peter because we believed in equity and fairness," she remarked.
She further elaborated that her decision to join the Labour Party stemmed from her dissatisfaction with the zoning formula of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at that time.
"We believed that PDP should have zoned the seat to the south, but since they left it open and said they were not zoning and they were trying to field a Northerner. We felt no, it’s not fair, though I’m a Northerner, but I felt it was not fair. That’s why I just left and quite a number of other people joined the Labour Party,” she added.
Regarding the party's future direction, Usman stated that the Labour Party would recommit to its foundational principles of social justice and equal opportunities, pointing to Governor Alex Otti of Abia State as an exemplary leader.
"What I want Nigerians to expect henceforth is a new Labour Party that is going to be strictly based on the ideologies the party was built initially to represent… equal opportunity, social justice," she explained.
"And if you look at what the Abia Governor is doing, he’s strictly following those… Yes, Governor Alex Otti. He is what I would say is the ambassador of the Labour Party. He’s the only governor we have and he’s doing very well."
Additionally, she encouraged all Nigerians, including activists and trade unionists, to engage actively in the political process.
"If you think you’re an activist, you have something to offer Nigeria, come contest elections… because you cannot change from outside," she advised.
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