Peter Obi Risks Labour’s 2027 Ticket Over ADC Alliance

2027: Peter Obi may lose opportunity to be our candidate - Labour Party Secretary

The Labour Party (LP) in Nigeria faces internal tensions over its 2027 presidential ambitions, with a faction warning former presidential candidate Peter Obi that his political alliances could jeopardize his chances of securing the party’s nomination. Umar Farouk, a factional national secretary of the LP, stated in a Wednesday interview with Trust TV that Obi risks disqualification if he continues engaging closely with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a rival political group.

Farouk emphasized the party’s commitment to an open nomination process, asserting that no candidate is guaranteed the LP’s presidential ticket. He highlighted Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, Obi’s running mate in the 2023 election, as a potential contender for the presidency, describing him as “as qualified as Peter Obi” for the role. “The seat of candidacy is not reserved for anybody. It is open for a competitive contest,” Farouk said, adding that Baba-Ahmed would need to formally declare interest, mobilize support, and adhere to party procedures to secure the nomination.

The remarks follow concerns within the party over Obi’s recent collaborations with ADC leaders, part of a coalition effort ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. Farouk warned that candidates maintaining ties with rival parties could face disqualification, stating, “There’s no way you’ll continue to romance with other political parties and still return with one leg in the Labour Party. You may be disqualified from the start.”

Farouk’s comments arrive just days after Baba-Ahmed publicly expressed conditional interest in the presidential race. During a recent media appearance, Baba-Ahmed confirmed he would consider running if Obi opts out but reiterated support for his former running mate, calling Obi “deserving of another opportunity” to lead the LP’s campaign. While distancing himself from personal ambition, Baba-Ahmed stressed the need for unity: “I am not desperate to become president, but we must prioritize the party’s collective goals.”

The developments underscore growing friction within the LP as it navigates post-2023 election dynamics. Observers note that Obi’s enduring popularity, stemming from his reform-focused 2023 campaign, complicates internal debates over leadership. However, Farouk’s faction appears intent on asserting institutional autonomy, framing the presidential nomination as contingent on loyalty and procedural rigor rather than individual prominence.

As Nigeria’s political landscape intensifies ahead of 2027, the LP’s ability to reconcile competing ambitions and alliances could determine its viability in a race traditionally dominated by the ruling All Progressives Congress and main opposition Peoples Democratic Party. For now, the party’s internal divisions highlight broader challenges in balancing personal influence, coalition-building, and institutional governance in Nigeria’s polarized political climate.

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