The Labour Party (LP) has officially announced that its presidential ticket for the 2027 general elections is open to all aspirants, with a firm declaration that no candidate will receive preferential treatment.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, emphasized the importance of a transparent process in selecting the party’s next flagbearer.
“There shall be primary elections in the Labour Party, and no aspirant will be favoured this time around,” Arabambi stated.
He reflected on the 2023 presidential election, during which Peter Obi emerged as the party’s candidate. Arabambi described that choice as a significant misstep.
He said the selection of Peter Obi “was a blunder with lasting consequences and a betrayal of Nigerians,” and added that the Labour Party is “set to correct its mistake ahead of the 2027 elections.”
Obi, who finished third in the last general election winning in 12 states including the Federal Capital Territory recently announced his decision to join a coalition movement under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), where he also declared his intent to run for president again in 2027.
Arabambi questioned Obi’s loyalty to the party, citing his move to the ADC as evidence of political inconsistency.
He went further to criticize members of the coalition Obi joined, labeling them as “Yahoo Yahoo politicians” who previously failed the nation.
“Instead of a leader with debt and discipline and demonstrable progress for national renewal, Nigeria got a populist, whose greatest skill is telling people what they want to hear,” he said.
“The 2027 election must not repeat this error, even as Peter Obi has defected from the Labour Party to ADC.”
Arabambi warned Nigerians against falling for political alliances he believes are harmful, referencing the previous administration’s failures between 2015 and 2023.
“Nigerians are wishing him well in that ungodly coalition because these are the same coalition that brought catastrophe on Nigerians between 2015 and 2023. Such a coalition must be rejected.”
Despite the sharp criticism, Arabambi reiterated that the Labour Party’s doors remain open to all Nigerians interested in contesting the 2027 presidential election under its platform.
“We wish Obi well in his Yahoo Yahoo coalition, but to let him know that the Labour Party presidential ticket is now open to all Nigerians,” he said.
“There shall be a primary election this time around, and no aspirant would be favoured.”
