The Labour Party has denied claims that it has zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the South-East region.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Obiora Ifoh, issued a statement on Monday from Abuja, firmly stating that no such zoning decision has been made, and the party does not intend to zone its presidential ticket or any other positions to any particular region or individual.
Ifoh’s statement comes after a report circulated suggesting that the Labour Party had decided to allocate its presidential ticket to the South-East for the upcoming 2027 general elections. The National Publicity Secretary clarified that these reports were based on a misinterpretation of a recent statement by the party’s National Chairman, Julius Abure.
In the clarification, Ifoh explained that Abure’s remarks were taken out of context. The National Chairman had addressed a gathering of South-East members on Sunday, urging them to work towards unity and build stronger ties with other groups. Abure’s message was to emphasize that Ndigbo could still realize their presidential aspirations if they were united and able to collaborate effectively with other regions.
Ifoh noted that Abure’s speech was not a declaration of the party’s intention to zone the 2027 ticket to the South-East. Instead, Abure had merely pointed out that the Labour Party remains a significant platform for the South-East to pursue their presidential goals, provided they are united in their efforts. The Labour Party, he said, is a national party with widespread support across the country, making the issue of zoning irrelevant.
“Labour Party is a national party and has large followership across the country and, therefore, the issue of zoning does not arise.
“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,” he said.
Despite the misunderstanding, Ifoh expressed appreciation for the public’s response to the misinformation. He acknowledged that the widespread concern demonstrated the trust and support that Nigerians have for the Labour Party. He encouraged the public to continue believing in the party’s mission of rebuilding the country and strengthening its democracy.
“We will not fail you. Together, we shall overcome,” Ifoh concluded, reaffirming the party’s commitment to its vision for the future.
