Barrister Julius Abure-led faction of Labour Party has officially cancelled the automatic ticket it previously reserved for the party’s presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi and Abia State governor, Dr Alex Otti, for the 2027 election.
The faction took the abrupt decision after it held a national executive committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Monday.
“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,” a communique from the meeting reads.
“Consequently, all tickets of the party from Presidency to the House of assemblies are open to all qualified Nigerians.”
Also, the faction said Governor Alex Otti did not have the power to convene a stakeholders’ meeting that produced a caretaker committee led by Nenadi Usman, a former senator.
“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) gives power to call meetings only to the National Secretary with the approval of the National Chairman,” it reads.
“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.
“The meeting contravenes the provisions of Section 82 (1) (2) (a) of the Electoral Act 2022 which provides as follows; 82 (1) Every registered political party shall give the Commission at least 21 days’ notice of any Convention, Congress, Conference or meeting convened for the purpose of ‘merger’ and electing members of its executive committees, other governing bodies or nominating candidates for any of the elective offices specified under this act.”