By John Alechenu
ABUJA — The Labour Party (LP) has ratified a total of 1,211 candidates to contest various executive and legislative positions across the country in the 2027 general elections.
The candidates were approved on Thursday during a hybrid meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) held at the LP National Secretariat in Utako, Abuja. The party also confirmed Dr. Sunday Chibuzo Okereke as its presidential candidate.
Presenting the report of the party’s primaries conducted on May 30, 2026, the National Secretary and Secretary of NEC, Rt. Hon. Iheanacho Obioma, said the exercises were held across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in compliance with the Constitution, Electoral Act 2026, Labour Party Constitution and guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to Obioma, the party undertook a nationwide digital membership registration exercise, submitted its membership register to INEC, issued the required statutory notices, published guidelines and sold nomination forms ahead of the primaries.
“Before the primaries, we carried out digital membership registration nationwide, submitted our register to INEC, issued statutory notices, published guidelines and sold nomination forms,” he said.
He explained that all aspirants underwent screening by national and state committees, while appeal panels were established to handle petitions. Only aspirants who obtained Certificates of Clearance were allowed to participate in the primaries.
Obioma further disclosed that NEC constituted electoral committees to supervise the exercises using both consensus and direct primary methods as provided by law.
According to him, the primaries were monitored by INEC officials, party stakeholders, accredited observers and international monitors, including representatives of the European Union Observation Mission through the Kukah Centre in Abia and Anambra states.
“The reports from the electoral committees show that the primaries were conducted peacefully, transparently and in substantial compliance with all extant laws and guidelines for candidate nomination,” he stated.
For the governorship elections, the party produced candidates in all 28 states where governorship polls will be conducted, achieving full coverage.
Among the candidates are Dr. Alex Chioma Otti for Abia State, Hon. Gaza Jonathan Gbafwi for Nasarawa State, Senator Elisha Ishaku for Adamawa State, Hon. Byuan Mathias Tewase for Benue State and Dr. Halilu Ma’azu Zubairu for Gombe State, alongside candidates in the remaining states.
For the National Assembly elections, the Labour Party will field 99 senatorial candidates for the 109 Senate seats and 307 candidates for the 360 House of Representatives constituencies.
At the state level, the party produced 776 candidates for the 993 seats in the various State Houses of Assembly across the country.
Obioma urged NEC members to adopt the report and approve the submission of the candidates’ names and particulars to INEC.
He described the conduct of the primaries as evidence of the party’s commitment to internal democracy, transparency, equal opportunity, social justice and the rule of law.
With the NEC’s approval of the candidates, the Labour Party has commenced preparations for the 2027 elections as it intensifies mobilisation efforts nationwide.
