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ABUJA – The Labour Party (LP) has officially closed the door on Northern presidential aspirants for the 2027 general elections. The party’s National Caretaker Committee Chairman, Senator Esther Nenadi Usman, announced on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, that the presidential ticket has been formally zoned to Southern Nigeria.
"No Northerner Will Be Accepted"
Speaking after a consultative meeting with INEC and the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Senator Usman emphasized that the decision is a firm policy intended to provide clarity for all prospective aspirants.
“We will certainly not field any aspirant from Northern Nigeria... So, if any Northerner comes now wanting to contest elections, we certainly will not accept that.”
Despite the zoning, the party insists it will not handpick a specific individual. Instead, it will allow a democratic process among Southern aspirants to determine who wins the primary.
Convention and Congresses Shifted
In a simultaneous development, the LP has announced a postponement of its ward, local government, and state congresses, as well as the national convention.
- Original Start Date: March 28, 2026.
- Reason for Shift: To allow more time for the ongoing nationwide membership re-registration exercise.
- New Date: To be announced soon by the newly inaugurated 45-member Congresses and Convention Committee.
The New Convention Committee
The party has inaugurated a high-powered committee to oversee the transition, chaired by Hon. Ginger Onwusibe. The committee includes notable figures such as:
- Hon. Obinna Aguocha
- Hon. Alex Mascot Ikwechegh
- Comrade Salisu N. Mohammed
- Mrs. Imaobong Ufot
Key Takeaways for Information Hub Readers:
- Zoning: Presidential slot officially moved to the South for 2027.
- Strategy: Designed to provide "clarity" and prevent internal friction early on.
- Membership: Re-registration is now the party’s primary focus during the postponement.
- Leadership: Senator Nenadi Usman continues to lead the interim NWC toward the convention.
