The Labour Party has said its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, will not be able to contest the 2027 general election under its platform, citing strict internal procedures and electoral requirements.
The party’s interim national chairman, Senator Nenadi Usman, made the clarification during an interview on Arise Television, where she explained that the party’s nomination process does not allow for last-minute entry into its membership list ahead of elections.
She said the Labour Party is required by law to close its membership register ahead of primaries and submit the updated electronic register to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before candidates can emerge.
“Once we close the register 21 days before primaries, submit the register, the e-register to INEC, you can’t come from behind the door for us to register you and for you to contest the elections. That would be impossible, legally impossible anyway,” she stated.
Usman added that the party’s structure is designed to ensure transparency and order in its selection process, making it impossible for new entrants to be included once the register has been submitted.
