The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Labour Party has declared that Peter Obi is no longer the sole presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
The decision was made during a critical meeting at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja on Monday.
The NEC declared that Obi, who was the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, can now contest for the position if he chooses to do so.
News report understands that the move effectively opens up the presidential ticket to other interested party members.
Similarly, the Abia State Governorship ticket, previously reserved for Alex Otti, is now up for grabs.
“NEC in session also reviewed the decision of the National Convention to reserve its Presidential and Governorship tickets for Peter Gregory Obi and Alex Otti respectively,” a communique from the meeting reads.
“Consequently, all tickets of the party from Presidency to the House of assemblies are open to all qualified Nigerians.”
The communique added: “The NEC in session noted that the Governor of Abia State His Excellency Alex Otti who convened the meeting did not have the power within the Party’s Constitution as provided in Article 14 (4) (B) gives power to call meetings only to the National Secretary with the approval of the National Chairman.
“NEC in session further reiterates that the Governor of Abia State does not even have the power to call his Ward Executive meeting without the approval and the consent of his Ward Chairman.
“The meeting contravenes the provisions of Section 82 (1) (2) (a) of the Electoral Act 2022 which provides as follows; 82 (1) Every registered political party shall give the Commission at least 21 days’ notice of any Convention, Congress, Conference or meeting convened for the purpose of ‘merger’ and electing members of its executive committees, other governing bodies or nominating candidates for any of the elective offices specified under this act.”
The recent decision comes as a reaction to the Labour Party Stakeholders meeting convened by Governor Otti and Obi in Umuahia, the Abia state capital.
Recall that at the meeting, a caretaker committee led by Nenadi Usman, a former senator, was inaugurated.