The Labour Party (LP) has dismissed claims that its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, have been granted automatic tickets for the 2027 general election.
The denial follows a statement by factional National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, who recently declared on Channels Television’s *Politics Today* that Obi would be the party’s flagbearer to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Arabambi asserted that Tinubu’s path to victory in 2027 would not be easy, stating, “We are coming back with Peter Obi so that they will know we are very serious.”
However, when contacted for clarification, the LP’s official National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, dismissed Arabambi’s claim, insisting that the party had not decided on any automatic ticket.
“No, that news is not from us, and we don’t have any camp,” Ifoh said. “The process of selecting our presidential candidate will follow the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Law (as amended). Anyone who wants to contest under our platform must meet our requirements and that of the law.”
In July 2024, LP National Chairman, Julius Abure, had also revoked an earlier promise of automatic tickets for Obi and Otti. The reversal followed a dispute over a 29-member national caretaker committee, led by Senator Nenadi Usman, which was set up to oversee new party elections.
The Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC) opposed the committee’s formation, deeming it illegal. In response, the party leadership withdrew the automatic ticket offer to both Obi and Otti, asserting that all candidates must go through the proper selection process.
Abure defended the decision, stating it was meant to ensure a level playing field for all qualified aspirants ahead of the 2027 election.
