Julius Abure, the embattled national chairman of the Labour Party, has announced that the party’s presidential ticket for the 2027 election is no longer reserved exclusively for former candidate Peter Obi.

During a press briefing following the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Monday, Abure declared that the 2027 presidential ticket is now open to all party members.

“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,” Abure said. “Consequently, all party tickets from the Presidency to the House of Assemblies are open to all qualified Nigerians.”

Abure also indicated that there will be no automatic second-term ticket for Abia State Governor Alex Otti, stating that the seat will be available to other aspirants.

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The chairman further criticized the Abia governor’s role in convening a stakeholders’ meeting that resulted in the formation of a caretaker committee led by former Senator Nenadi Usman. Abure claimed that Otti did not have the authority to call such a meeting.

“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) which grants the authority to call meetings only to the National Secretary with the approval of the National Chairman,” Abure explained. “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.”

Abure also criticized the meeting for violating the Electoral Act 2022, which requires at least 21 days’ notice to the Commission for conventions, congresses, conferences, or meetings convened for nominating candidates.

“No governor that we gave a ticket can harass us out of office; no governor, no matter how highly placed, will come and with a fiat, dissolve the NWC, dissolve state councils, or dissolve LG councils; even a military government would not do that,” Abure asserted. “The mandate given to me and my team as leaders of the Labour Party at the convention of the party held on the 27th day of March 2024, will be defended.”

He criticized recent events, particularly a meeting held in Abia State, which he claimed was an attempt to create division within the party. “This meeting, held without the authority or consent of the National Executive Council, sought to install a so-called ‘new leadership’,” Abure said. “Let me be clear: this action was not just illegal. It was a betrayal of everything the Labour Party stands for. A reward for loyalty with ingratitude, a reward for support with insubordination.”

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