The acting National Chairman of the Labour Party, Nenadi Usman, has said it would be difficult for the party’s former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to return and contest on its platform ahead of the 2027 general election.
Speaking on Prime Time on Arise television interview on Wednesday, Usman said existing electoral guidelines and internal party procedures would make any late return impracticable.
“It will be too late, actually, for him to come back, If you look at the Act now, at some point we close the register, and once we close it 21 days before primaries and submit the e-register to INEC, you cannot come from behind to register and contest,” she said.
She explained that the party is bound by regulations set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which require strict compliance with timelines ahead of primary elections.
Despite her position, Usman acknowledged Obi’s role in raising the party’s profile, noting that his entry ahead of the last general election drew significant support.
“Even me, he convinced me to come with him to the Labour Party. Not just me, many people in the party today were convinced by Peter because we believed in equity and fairness.”
Usman added that her decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was informed by dissatisfaction with its zoning arrangement at the time.
“We believed that PDP should have zoned the seat to the South. But when they left it open and were trying to field a Northerner, we felt it was not fair. That was why I left, alongside many others.”
On the party’s future, she said the Labour Party would refocus on its founding ideals.
“What Nigerians should expect is a new Labour Party that will be strictly based on the ideologies the party was built on equal opportunity and social justice,” she said.
Usman pointed to Alex Otti as a model of the party’s direction.
“If you look at what the Abia governor is doing, he is strictly following those ideals. He is what I would call the ambassador of the Labour Party,” she said.
She also urged Nigerians to get involved in politics, stressing that change cannot be achieved from outside the system.
“If you think you are an activist and you have something to offer Nigeria, come and contest elections. You cannot change things from outside,” she concluded.