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2027: No Automatic Ticket For Obi- LP

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The Labour Party leadership has ruled out handing automatic tickets to any aspirant ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that even its most recognisable figure, former presidential candidate Peter Obi, must go through competitive primaries if he chooses to return to the fold.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Obiora Ifoh, stated this in an exclusive interview with our correspondent , amid intensifying uncertainty over Obi’s political direction and the deepening rift between the former Anambra governor and the Julius Abure-led LP leadership.

Ifoh stressed that the party remained open to reconciliation with Obi and other aggrieved stakeholders but maintained that its internal democratic processes would not be compromised.

He said, “We have answered this question several times. The Labour Party has constantly said that the issue of tickets will be determined at the party’s convention. The NEC has spoken concerning our presidential candidacy.

“Every candidate must emerge through a democratically convened convention. There is no automatic ticket for anyone, whether as presidential, governorship or chairmanship aspirants.”

He added that Obi had kept his distance from the current leadership for about a year.

“We have said that Obi’s position in Labour Party can only be answered by him. Nobody can speak for him. Whether he is in the ADC or Labour Party, he is the only one that can answer that question.

“The only thing that we know is that in the last one year, he has not really spoken with the current leadership. And we take it like that because not only him, so many other persons have also not done much,” he said.

On why the recent NEC meeting did not address the Obi matter, Ifoh explained that the session was dedicated to kick-starting congresses and primaries.

“The NEC meeting we had was to kick-start our congresses, which we have conducted successfully. It was extremely successful. Did you see some of our viral videos and pictures? But in Abia State, there was a court injunction, which we, as a party, upheld and obeyed.

“Everything is going on well with us. We have conducted primaries in the Ekiti State. We will soon repeat same in Osun and INEC is working with us. The commission monitored everything. They gave us key codes to upload our candidates.

“So we don’t really have a problem. We are already moving and we are hoping that by 2027, we would have achieved everything we have to do,” he added.

The strained relationship between Obi and Labour Party National Chairman, Julius Abure, dates back to the turbulent aftermath of the 2023 presidential election.

Obi’s camp repeatedly accused Abure’s leadership of mishandling party funds, failure to account for campaign donations, and attempt to consolidate control of party structures without broader consultation, allegations that Abure repeatedly dismissed.

Multiple internal factions also challenged Abure’s legitimacy in court, a crisis that often left Obi publicly distancing himself from internal disputes.

Party insiders said Obi was uncomfortable with what he saw as persistent infighting, conflicting court orders, and the perception that Abure’s leadership was undermining efforts to institutionalise a reform-driven political movement.

The national chairman’s insistence on retaining control of key organs, despite pressure from the Obidient base, further widened the gulf.

By early 2024, Obi had quietly withdrawn from most LP activities, and communication between both camps virtually collapsed, giving rise to his current political ambiguity.

The Labour Party’s latest position comes just days after the African Democratic Congress urged Obi to decide whether he will join its emerging coalition ahead of the 2027 polls.

Although the ADC acknowledges Obi’s political influence, the coalition insists it will not alter its principles or zoning arrangements to accommodate him.

Obi was recently quoted in a YouTube interview as expressing concern over “instability” within the ADC coalition — an interview his media office later denied granting.

ADC spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, maintained that zoning was not on the table, saying, “If that is the condition for Obi to join us, maybe he should wait till that time.”

Obi’s ally and former campaign spokesman, Yunusa Tanko, however, appealed to the ADC to give the former Anambra governor more time, saying he must embark on “wide consultation” before taking a final position on his political future.

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I’m in talks with NDC, PRP leaders over my political future — Kwankwaso

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Former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso has said no final decision has been taken regarding his political future or that of his associates.

The African Democratic Congress chieftain, however, admitted that he is currently consulting with leaders of the National Democratic Congress and the Peoples Redemption Party.

Kwankwaso made this known in a statement shared on his X account on Saturday.

He wrote, “We have noted recent media reports and discussions suggesting a possible realignment within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) due to the current challenges facing the party.

“In light of the misleading narratives in the public domain, I wish to state categorically that no final decision has been taken regarding my political future or that of my political associates.”

He noted that the recent Supreme Court’s judgment affirmed the legitimacy of the David Mark-led National Working Committee but returned aspects of the matter to the high court, leaving the party in a difficult position.

“The recent Supreme Court judgment, while affirming the legitimacy of the David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC), also remitted the matter back to the High Court. This has left the party in a precarious position,” he said.

According to him, a separate ruling by the Federal High Court had also invalidated the party’s recent convention, while the Attorney General of the Federation had applied for the deregistration of the ADC.

Kwankwaso said the challenges mirrored the legal issues that earlier forced him and his supporters out of the New Nigeria Peoples Party.

“In addition, the Federal High Court has recently ruled to delegitimise the party’s recent convention. The Attorney General of the Federation has also strangely applied to a Federal High Court to deregister the ADC.

“We left the NNPP due to externally influenced legal problems that made our stay perilous. The ADC has now been also forced into this difficulty,” he added.

He disclosed that consultations had begun with leaders of the National Democratic Congress, Peoples Redemption Party and others to determine the best path forward.

“Consequently, like other major stakeholders, we have commenced wide-ranging consultations — including with leaders from the NDC, PRP and others to explore the best options for protecting our democratic interests. We shall announce our decision in the soonest possible time,” he added.

On the 2027 presidential race, Kwankwaso said he had neither declared interest in contesting nor endorsed any aspirant.

He recalled finishing second in the 2014 APC presidential primary won by Muhammadu Buhari, and later supporting the winner. He also said he contested the 2019 PDP presidential primary before backing Atiku Abubakar.

He said, “On the issue of presidential candidacy, I wish to recall my consistent record as a committed democrat. In the 2014 APC presidential primary, I came second to President Muhammadu Buhari (whom I fully supported to victory), with Atiku Abubakar third, Rochas Okorocha fourth, and the late Sam Nda-Isaiah fifth.

“Similarly, in 2019, I contested the PDP presidential ticket and immediately supported the winner, His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, serving as the campaign’s coordinator in the North. I have always placed national interest and party unity above personal ambition.”

Kwankwaso added that the ADC had yet to zone its presidential ticket or choose a candidate, making current speculation unfounded.

He also explained that his absence from two recent ADC stakeholders’ meetings was due to unavoidable personal commitments, which he had communicated to party leaders.

“Furthermore, the ADC is yet to zone its presidential ticket or take any decision on a candidate. I have therefore neither declared any intention to run for president nor endorsed any aspirant. All speculations to the contrary are premature and unfounded.

“My absence from the two recent ADC stakeholders’ meetings was due to unavoidable personal commitments. I promptly communicated my apologies to the party leadership.

“We shall continue to engage constructively at all levels. Any definitive position on our political direction will be communicated formally through official channels at the appropriate time,” he said.

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Workers’ Day: ADC criticises rising living costs

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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed concern over the rising cost of living in Nigeria, saying it is placing increasing pressure on workers and affecting real incomes.

In a Workers’ Day statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said many Nigerians are facing economic strain as prices of essential goods and services continue to rise.

“Across Nigeria today, workers are doing more and earning less. Rising costs of food, transport, housing, and energy have reduced the value of workers’ wages,” the statement said.

The party linked the situation to broader economic and security challenges, noting that inflation, limited job opportunities, and disruptions to business activities are contributing to the pressure on households.

According to the ADC, addressing these challenges requires policies that support job creation, improve security, and stabilise prices to protect workers’ purchasing power.

The party emphasised the need for an economic framework that promotes enterprise, encourages productivity, and ensures that workers are adequately rewarded for their labour.

It also called for sustained interventions to ease the burden on citizens, particularly in areas affecting daily living costs.

“The focus should be on building an economy that works for ordinary Nigerians, where productivity translates into improved livelihoods,” the statement added.

The ADC reiterated its position that workers’ welfare should remain a priority, stressing the importance of policies that enhance income stability and economic opportunity.

 

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Buhari’s son gets automatic APC ticket to seek Reps seat

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Yusuf Buhari, son of former President Muhammadu Buhari, has picked the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket to contest for the Daura/Sandamu/Mai’adua Federal Constituency seat in the 2027 elections.

Our correspondent  reports that Yusuf picked the ticket unopposed after a stakeholders’ meeting held in Katsina on Tuesday, April 28, unanimously adopted him as the party’s candidate.

The consensus agreement was announced by the chairman of the Consensus Committee for Daura Zone, Alhaji Ahmed Dangiwa, a former minister of housing and urban development.

Speaking after Yusuf’s adoption, Mannir Musa, APC Chairman, Mai’adua Local Government, urged party members to accept the outcome in good faith.

“I urge all our people to be obedient and accept the consensus reached by the committee and stakeholders in good faith. We should all work together for the unity and progress of the party and our people,” he said.

He also appealed to Katsina governor Dikko Radda to support aspirants who did not get tickets so that they could continue to serve their people.

Musa urged aspirants offered the tickets through consensus to work for their constituents when elected in the secondary election.

He named other automatic candidates to include Nasir Yahaya for the Daura senatorial seat race and Mustapha Musa for the Mai’adua constituency in the Katsina State House of Assembly.

Yusuf Buhari, in a remark, thanked party members for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to provide quality representation if elected. (NAN)

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