LP: 2027 presidential ticket not zoned to south-east

The Labour Party (LP) says it has not zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the south-east. 

The party was reacting to remarks credited to Julius Abure, LP national chairman.

In a statement on Monday, Obiora Ifoh, the national publicity secretary of the LP, said Abure’s comments were taken out of context.

Ifoh said the national chairman only advised some south-east members at a gathering on Saturday that Ndigbo could still achieve the presidency if they are able to reach out to other groups.

He also asked the Igbos to forge stronger alliances with other regions to boost their chances in 2027, drawing comparisons to the Yoruba political bloc’s successes through strategic realignments.

“Labour Party is a national party and has large followership across the country and, therefore, the issue of zoning does not arise,” the statement reads.

“In the 2023 general elections, the party won seats in the north and across the southern states, and we are working hard to surpass that achievement in future elections.

“Candidates for every position must emerge through highly-competitive and democratic processes, as the party’s constitution does not permit zoning.

“We, therefore, regret the misinterpretation of the party’s noble intention by a section of the media. Our party was quoted out of context.”

Peter Obi, the party’s standard-bearer in the 2023 presidential election, hails from the south-east.