Labour Party fields 1,211 candidates for 2027 elections
By John Alechenu
ABUJA — The Labour Party (LP) has officially endorsed a total of 1,211 candidates to vie for various executive and legislative offices across Nigeria in the 2027 general elections.
The endorsement was made on Thursday during a hybrid meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) held at its national headquarters in Utako, Abuja. During the session, the party also confirmed Dr. Sunday Chibuzo Okereke as its presidential flag bearer.
While presenting the outcome of the party’s primaries held on May 30, 2026, the National Secretary and NEC Secretary, Rt. Hon. Iheanacho Obioma, stated that the exercises were conducted across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in line with the provisions of the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026, the Labour Party Constitution, and INEC guidelines.
Obioma explained that prior to the primaries, the party carried out a nationwide digital membership registration exercise, forwarded its membership register to INEC, issued statutory notifications, released electoral guidelines, and made nomination forms available for sale.
He further noted that all aspirants were screened by both national and state-level committees, with appeal panels set up to handle complaints. Only candidates who received official Certificates of Clearance were cleared to participate in the primaries.
According to him, NEC also set up electoral committees to oversee the process, which was conducted through consensus and direct primary methods as permitted by law.
He added that the exercises were observed 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.
Obioma maintained that reports from the electoral committees indicated that the primaries were peaceful, transparent, and largely compliant with all relevant laws and nomination guidelines.
For the governorship race, the party fielded candidates in all 28 states where elections are scheduled, achieving full coverage.
Prominent candidates include 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, among others.
In the National Assembly contests, the Labour Party will present 99 senatorial candidates for 109 seats and 307 candidates for the 360 House of Representatives constituencies.
At the state level, the party has nominated 776 candidates for 993 seats across various State Houses of Assembly nationwide.
Obioma appealed to NEC members to approve the report and authorize the submission of the candidates’ list and details to INEC.
He described the primaries as a reflection of the party’s dedication to internal democracy, transparency, equal opportunity, social justice, and the rule of law.
With the NEC’s approval, the Labour Party has now intensified preparations for the 2027 general elections, alongside nationwide mobilisation efforts.