The Labour Party (LP) faction loyal to Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has indicated that the party is inclined towards zoning its 2027 presidential ticket to the South, in line with the principle of power rotation between the North and South.
The faction’s Interim National Chairman, Senator Nenadi Usman, stated this during a late-night interview on TVC on Sunday.
Speaking on the party’s zoning arrangement ahead of the 2027 general election, Usman said considerations of equity, fairness and national balance favoured the South retaining the presidency.
“It is the turn of the South. I believe in power rotation between the North and the South. So, if the Labour Party is to field a presidential candidate now, it should be a Southerner,” she said.
However, Usman stressed that her position was a personal view and not an official decision of the party, noting that such matters would be resolved collectively by stakeholders.
“This is my personal opinion. When we come together as stakeholders, we will decide whether to field a candidate, and if we do, where that candidate will come from. Those decisions are not for one person to make,” she added.
According to her, no decision has been taken on the party’s presidential flag bearer for 2027, as consultations are yet to begin in earnest.
“When we get to that bridge, we will cross it. Whether we are fielding a candidate and how we are going to do so is not something I can decide alone,” Usman said.
She listed key stakeholders expected to be involved in the decision-making process to include Governor Alex Otti, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
“There is Dr Alex Otti. We also have the NLC and the TUC. These are the stakeholders. We must sit together and decide what to do,” she stated.
Usman also dismissed speculations that Governor Otti might defect from the Labour Party following the exit of the party’s former presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
She said she had personally spoken with the Abia State governor on the matter and was confident he would remain in the party.
“I’m sure he will still be with us. I spoke to him when Peter Obi was leaving. I asked him about his own position, and he said he is still with us,” she said.
Reacting to Obi’s defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the former Minister of Finance admitted she was initially unhappy with the decision but said she respected it after hearing his reasons.
“I was unhappy at first. But after speaking with him and understanding his reasons, I had to respect his judgment. I wished him well and told him we are praying for him,” she added.
Usman further revealed that the party had concluded plans to embark on a reconciliation process aimed at reuniting aggrieved members and rebuilding the party ahead of future elections.
“We want to call everyone together and bury the hatchet. If you truly love the Labour Party, this is the time to come together and rebuild it,” she said.
According to her, a reconciliation committee is about to be inaugurated to engage aggrieved members and appeal to them to return to the party.
“That committee will reach out to everyone who needs to be spoken to and plead with them to come back. Let us join hands and rebuild our party,” Usman said.
