Labour Party Nominates 1,211 Candidates for 2027 Elections

By John Alechenu

ABUJA — The Labour Party (LP) has confirmed 1,211 candidates to contest executive and legislative positions in the 2027 general elections.

The candidates were approved at a hybrid meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) held Thursday at the LP National Secretariat in Utako, Abuja. The meeting also confirmed Dr. Sunday Chibuzo Okereke as the party’s presidential candidate.

Rt. Hon. Iheanacho Obioma, National Secretary and Secretary of the NEC, presented the results of the primaries held on 30 May 2026. He said the exercises took place across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in accordance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026, the Labour Party Constitution and the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Obioma explained that the party conducted a nationwide digital membership registration, submitted its register to INEC, issued statutory notices, published guidelines and sold nomination forms before the primaries.

“Before the primaries, we carried out digital membership registration nationwide, submitted our register to INEC, issued statutory notices, published guidelines and sold nomination forms,” he said.

He added that all aspirants were screened by national and state committees, and appeal panels were set up to handle petitions. Only those who obtained Certificates of Clearance were allowed to participate.

The NEC also formed electoral committees to supervise the primaries, using both consensus and direct primary methods as required by law.

According to Obioma, the primaries were monitored by INEC officials, party stakeholders, accredited observers and international monitors, including representatives of the European Union Observation Mission through the Kukah Centre in Abia and Anambra states.

“The reports from the electoral committees show that the primaries were conducted peacefully, transparently and in substantial compliance with all extant laws and guidelines for candidate nomination,” he stated.

For the governorship polls, the party has fielded candidates in all 28 states where elections will be held. Among them are Dr. Alex Chioma Otti for Abia State, Hon. Gaza Jonathan Gbafwi for Nasarawa State, Senator Elisha Ishaku for Adamawa State, Hon. Byuan Mathias Tewase for Benue State and Dr. Halilu Ma’azu Zubairu for Gombe State, plus candidates in the remaining states.

In the National Assembly elections, the Labour Party will contest 99 of the 109 Senate seats and 307 of the 360 House of Representatives constituencies.

At the state level, the party has nominated 776 candidates for the 993 seats in the various State Houses of Assembly across the country.

Obioma urged NEC members to adopt the report and approve the submission of the candidates’ names and particulars to INEC.

He described the primaries as evidence of the party’s commitment to internal democracy, transparency, equal opportunity, social justice and the rule of law.

With the NEC’s approval, the Labour Party has begun preparations for the 2027 elections and is intensifying mobilisation efforts nationwide.

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