The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the faction of the Labour Party aligned with Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, have warned the Julius Abure–led leadership against fielding a presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general election.
The warning follows controversy over comments attributed to the party’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, suggesting interest in the 2027 presidency. Although Baba-Ahmed later denied making a declaration, the episode has deepened the party’s internal crisis, coming weeks after its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, defected to the African Democratic Congress.
Speaking through her media aide, Ken Asogwa, the factional National Chairman, Senator Nenadi Usman, said the Labour Party had not opened its political process for 2027 and cautioned against premature actions. She stressed that any candidacy must follow due process and INEC’s timetable, noting that the commission has yet to release the election schedule or lift the campaign embargo.
In a related reaction, the NLC-constituted Board of Trustees condemned Baba-Ahmed’s perceived engagement with the Abure-led National Working Committee, which it said lacks legitimacy.
A BoT member, Mr Lawson Osagie, said Abure’s tenure had expired, citing INEC’s position and a Supreme Court judgment, and questioned Baba-Ahmed’s standing within the party.
The pushback followed Baba-Ahmed’s appearance at a rally at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, where he was widely reported to have hinted at a 2027 ambition.
However, speaking later on Channels Television, the Baze University founder denied declaring for the presidency, saying his remarks were misunderstood and were only meant to reaffirm his membership of the Labour Party. He added that any ambition must await INEC’s timetable and the party’s guidelines.
