KEY POINTS

• Labour Party ratifies 1,211 candidates after completing nationwide primaries for the 2027 elections.
• Governor Alex Otti urges unity, warning that internal divisions could weaken the party’s electoral prospects.
• Party leadership calls for reconciliation among aspirants to strengthen cohesion ahead of the polls.

Labour Party has officially ratified 1,211 candidates to contest various elective positions in preparation for the 2027 general elections, following the conclusion of its nationwide selection process.

The decision was announced during the party’s national executive council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja on Thursday under the leadership of the Nenadi Usman-led faction.

According to the party, the ratified candidates emerged from a broad primary exercise conducted on May 27, which covered 1,491 positions across different levels of government. These include 28 governorship slots, 99 senatorial districts, 307 House of Representatives seats, and 776 state assembly constituencies.

The party also confirmed that Chibuzo Okereke emerged as its presidential candidate on May 30 through a consensus arrangement involving stakeholders and party members.

Speaking at the NEC meeting, Abia State Governor Alex Otti urged members of the party to close ranks and prioritise unity as preparations for the general election intensify. He warned that internal disagreements could weaken the party’s electoral chances if not properly managed.

Otti, who was represented by his deputy Ikechukwu Emetu, stressed that the conclusion of primaries should mark the beginning of collective mobilisation rather than division. He called on candidates to work with those who did not secure tickets, saying their experience and support base remained valuable to the party’s success.

He also described all candidates as ambassadors of the party, urging them to present a united front in order to strengthen Labour Party’s chances at the polls.

In her remarks, Labour Party national chairperson Nenadi Usman also emphasised the importance of unity and reconciliation. She noted that disagreements are common in political contests but urged members to move past grievances for the greater good of the party.

Usman added that the party does not belong to any individual and stressed that its strength lies in inclusiveness and collective effort aimed at winning elections.