Labour Party denies zoning 2027 presidency to South-East

The leadership of the Labour Party has denied reports circulating that its 2027 presidential ticket has been zoned to the South-East geo-political zone.

In a statement issued on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the party stated that it has not and will not zone any of its positions to any geographical zone or individual.

DAILY POST reports that the party on Sunday issued a statement titled “2027: Labour Party still available for Ndigbo to realise presidency – Abure”, which fuelled speculation that its presidential ticket has been zoned to the South-East.

Former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, had flown the party’s presidential ticket during the 2023 general election.

Reports in some quarters suggested that the party had zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the South-East to enable Obi to receive an automatic ticket.

Clarifying the report, LP stated that the party “did not at any time say it has zoned the presidency or any of its positions in the coming election.”

According to the statement: “The party was emphatic in its position that, although it made its platform available for the South-East to pursue its political aspirations in the 2023 election, it will not close its doors to the zone if it chooses to work with the party in future elections.

“The National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, on Saturday, while speaking at a gathering of South-East members of the party in the FCT, only advised that Ndigbo can still achieve the presidency if they are more united and can reach out to other groups, and that the Labour Party is a veritable platform for their aspiration.

“The Labour Party is a national party and has a large followership across the country; therefore, the issue of zoning does not arise.

“In the 2023 general elections, the party won seats in the North and across the Southern states, and we are working hard to surpass that achievement in future elections.”