Labour Party (LP) has dismissed concerns that the departure of its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi weakens its chances in the 2027 general elections.
The clarification comes amid renewed speculation over internal alignments within the opposition bloc and Obi’s long-term political future.
Party officials, reacting to the debate, maintained that the LP is not dependent on any single individual, stressing that its strength lies in its growing grassroots base and expanding national structure.
Responding to questions on whether Obi’s departure would affect the strength of the party, Usman said the growing number of aspirants seeking to contest on the Labour Party platform showed that the party remained formidable.
She said, “I don’t think so. Judging from the number of people who indicated interest in using the party as a platform to contest the election, I think the party is still strong.
“I’m happy that the screening process is pretty much a very wonderful exercise. I am also impressed with the turnout of aspirants.”
Speaking on the number of presidential aspirants and the possibility of adopting consensus for the primaries, Usman reiterated that the party had zoned its presidential ticket to the South.
She also announced that the leadership may decide its 2027 flag bearer through consensus at the primary.
“It’s encouraging. I think we have three people who have purchased forms. But don’t forget that we have decided that, as a party, our next presidential flagbearer should come from the South. So, that will definitely limit the number of people who would buy the forms from us.
“Yes, we are hoping for a consensus. But whoever emerges will be thoroughly screened. That is also because to be the president of this great country that has over 250 million people, we need to screen really well before clearing him. But I assure you it will be free and fair,” she added.
Also speaking, the Senator representing Abia South, Enyinnaya Abaribe, declared that the Labour Party was positioned to sweep all elective offices in Abia State during the 2027 elections.
Abaribe said the party-controlled state had demonstrated capacity through people-oriented projects executed by the administration of Governor Alex Otti.
The senator, who appeared for the screening exercise alongside other aspirants from Abia State, said the governor had delivered the dividends of democracy to the people.
He said, “We are here to be screened as the constitution requires, and we trust the judgment of the screening committee whose job is to select ably qualified candidates. Abia is for the Labour Party, and the party is for the state.
“Having said this, I would state here that the party will win all elections beginning from the Governorship, Senatorial, House of Representatives and the States Assembly.”
Similarly, a member of the House of Representatives representing Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency, Alex Ikwechegh, expressed confidence in retaining his seat, noting that no aspirant purchased nomination forms to challenge him.
“I’m very confident that we will come out on top. I’m sure you’re very much aware that in my constituency, no one procured a form to run against me in Aba North/ South Federal Constituency. And the reason for this is simple. We have performed well, and also because of the way that our party tends to conduct their political activities.
“Special thanks to the leader of the party, His Excellency Dr Alex Otti, the governor of Abia State, who has performed exceptionally well. You can see the Labour Party and Abia are on the rise.
“So I’m confident that on May 30, when the primaries will eventually be conducted, we are going to emerge victorious since it’s very apparent that no one else has procured the nomination form to run against us,” he said.
On whether he supported the move for consensus candidates, Ikwechegh described consensus as a legitimate democratic arrangement recognised by law.
“If stakeholders come together and say we are willing to align with the incumbent or the person they feel is most competent. Consensus is basically like a gentleman’s arrangement. It has been adopted in the Electoral Act.
“However, stakeholders are the ones to come together as well as the party faithful to say, this is the candidate who we believe has the most opportunity to win the general election. And I believe that is what has happened in Abia, where stakeholders have all come together to say they are going to align with the person that the party has selected,” he stated.
Reacting to the recent outcome of the APC primaries in which several serving lawmakers and political heavyweights lost their tickets, Ikwechegh said such developments were not unusual in a large political party.
He said, “The truth is that I am not a member of the APC and I have never been one. It was speculated at one time, when we went to observe Iftar with the president, that he had induced me to join the APC. That is not true.
“The APC is one of the biggest parties in Africa, if not the biggest. And it is normal for people to drop out or be defeated when a popular candidate wins an election. There are so many people in the National Assembly that I never thought in my lifetime would lose the primary election in the APC. But they have.
“So I want to just say we are members of the Labour Party and we are continuing with our Labour Party activities,” he added.
Also, the member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency and Deputy Chairman, House Committee on FCT Judiciary, Ibe Osonwa, said stakeholders in Abia had reached agreements on candidates considered best suited to represent the people.
“So, all stakeholders were brought together. We discussed each area and we agreed that certain persons serve the best interest of our people in the State Assemblies, House of Reps and Senatorial Zones. And that’s how we worked it,” he said.
