2027: No automatic ticket for Obi, Otti in LP- Abure fumes

The Labour Party, LP factional leadership led by Julius Abure says all its tickets ahead of the 2027 general election are open to qualified Nigerians.

Abure made the announcement after a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Monday.

“NEC in session also reviewed the decision of the National Convention to reserve its Presidential and Governorship tickets for Peter Gregory Obi and Alex Otti respectively,” a viral communique.

“Consequently, all tickets of the party from the Presidency to the House of Assemblies are open to all qualified Nigerians,” he declared.

This is coming amid the controversy that trailed the recent stakeholders meeting convened by the Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, and 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, where a former minister of finance Nenadi Usman was announced as caretaker chairperson of the party.

The Abure-led NEC maintained that there was no vacuum in the leadership of the party after “conducting its National Convention in line with its constitution, the Electoral Act and Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on March 27, 2024, at Nnewi Anambra State.”

It consequently called on the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, “to stop aiding and abetting the Governor of Abia State Alex Otti to further cause damage to the party.

“NEC in session also note that His Excellency Alex Otti have constantly quoted the INEC Chairman as saying that the tenure of the officers of the party has expired, which His Excellency Alex Otti said has necessitated his calling of the meeting and setting up a Caretaker Committee.

“On the basis of the foregoing therefore, NEC in session hereby call on all teeming members, supporters and members of the general public to kindly disregard the so-called meeting and its outcome.”

The NEC also reimposed confidence in the leadership of Abure led National Working Committee and urged all party members to continue to respect the leadership of the party and obey its lawful directives.

It also delegated its powers to fill vacant positions in the NWC and also approved the conduct of State, Local Government and Ward Congress as may be schedule by the National Working Committee in line with party’s Constitution and other Extant laws.

“NEC In session also approved the composition of the diciplinary committee as provided in Constitution.

“NEC in session also approved the review of some disciplinary actions taken against some members in the spirit of reconciliation.”