A faction of the Labour Party loyal to Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has signaled support for zoning the party’s 2027 presidential ticket to the South, in line with Nigeria’s long-standing principle of power rotation.
Speaking during a TVC interview on Sunday, the Interim National Chairman of the faction, Senator Nenadi Usman, said: “Well, it’s the turn of the South. Yes, I believe in a power shift between North and South. So, if the Labour Party wants to fill a candidate now, it will be a Southerner.”
She emphasized that her position was personal but grounded in equity and national balance: “From my moral perspective, it is the turn of the South, and a Southerner should be allowed to contest an election at this material time.”
On the choice of a presidential flag bearer, Usman clarified that no decision had been taken yet: “When we get to that bridge, we’ll cross it. Whether we are fielding a candidate and how we are going to field him is not something that I personally can sit down and make a decision on. There is Dr Alex Otti. We also have the NLC and the TUC. These are the stakeholders.”
She dismissed speculation about Governor Otti leaving the party after Peter Obi’s defection, saying: “I’m sure he will still be with us, because I spoke to him, actually, when Peter Obi was leaving. I asked him, what about you? And he said, no. He’s still with us.”
Reacting to Obi’s move to the African Democratic Congress, Usman admitted: “I was unhappy about the decision. But having spoken to him and heard the reason he left, I had to respect his judgment. I just wished him well and said we are praying for him.”
Looking ahead, she revealed plans for reconciliation within the party: “We want to call everyone together. Let’s bury the hatchets, let’s come together. If truly you are a lover of the Labour Party, this is the time for you to come and join us. We are on the verge of inaugurating a committee that will be in charge of reconciliation.”
