By Wellington Jopelo
Labour Party has said its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, may not be able to return to the party to contest the 2027 election due to internal rules on membership registration and electoral guidelines.
The party’s interim national chairman, Nenadi Usman, explained that once the party closes its membership register ahead of primaries, no new entrant or returning member can be added. She noted that the register must be submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission before primaries.
According to her, the timing makes it impossible for anyone who is not already on the approved register to participate in the party’s selection process for candidates in 2027.
Usman made the comments during an interview, where she stressed that party procedures and electoral laws must be strictly followed to avoid legal issues during elections.
She said the Labour Party usually shuts its membership list about 21 days before primary elections, a rule she said cannot be bent for any individual.
The chairman also reflected on the role Peter Obi played in building the party’s popularity ahead of the 2023 general election, saying he helped attract many members, including herself.
She recalled leaving the Peoples Democratic Party after being convinced by Obi and others to join the Labour Party, describing it as a decision based on fairness and political equity.
Usman explained that her departure from the PDP was influenced by disagreements over zoning, arguing that the presidency should have been allocated to the southern region during the last election cycle.
She added that internal conflicts and leadership disputes have continued to affect the Labour Party since its strong showing in 2023, leading to legal battles and division within the party structure.
Despite the ongoing crisis, she said her faction has moved to stabilise the party through membership revalidation and has also zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the southern region.