Julius Abure, the embattled National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), announced on Monday that the party’s 2027 presidential ticket is now open to qualified aspirants as it is no longer reserved for Peter Obi, its 2023 candidate.
News About Nigeria reports that Abure made the revelation while speaking to newsmen after the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Monday.
The LP chieftain further revealed that the only governor elected under the platform of the party, Alex Otti of Abia State, is also not the party’s automatic candidate for a second term in 2027, as the slot is opened to others.
He noted that all of the party’s tickets, from the Presidency to the House of Assembly, are now open to qualified candidates.
Abure said, “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. Consequently, all party tickets from the Presidency to the House of Assemblies are open to all qualified Nigerians.”
Giving details on that of Alex Otti, Abure noted that he was disappointed with the governor over his decision to convene a stakeholders’ meeting that produced a caretaker committee led by a former Senator, Nenadi Usman.
He further noted that Otti does not have the power to convene such a meeting without a go-ahead from the leadership of the party.
He 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 the power to call meetings only to the National Secretary with the approval of the National Chairman. No governor that we gave ticket can harass us out of office.”