The Labour Party has stated that no aspirant will receive an automatic ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections, emphasizing that even its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, will have to participate in competitive primaries.
National Publicity Secretary Obiora Ifoh said the party remains open to reconciling with Obi and other aggrieved members amid ongoing tensions between the former Anambra governor and the Julius Abure-led leadership. However, he stressed that the party will not compromise its internal democratic procedures.
“We have addressed this repeatedly. The Labour Party has made it clear that all tickets will be determined at the party’s convention. The NEC has spoken on the issue of our presidential candidacy,” Ifoh said.
“Every candidate must emerge through a democratically convened convention. There will be no automatic ticket for anyone—whether for the presidency, governorship, or chairmanship.”
He added that only Obi can clarify his current political position. “We cannot speak for him. Whether he is in the ADC or the Labour Party, he alone can answer that question.”