ABUJA, Nigeria (AP), Labour Party interim chairperson Nenadi Usman said Wednesday that it would be “too late” for former presidential candidate Peter Obi to return to the party ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 elections, citing restrictions in the country’s Electoral Act.
Usman explained that once the Labour Party closes its membership register 21 days before its primaries and submits the electronic register to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), no new members can join. “It will be too late for Peter Obi to come back to the Labour Party because, according to the Electoral Act, once we close the register and submit the e-register, no one can join after that,” she said.
Obi, who ran under the Labour Party in 2023 and galvanized a youth-driven movement known as the “Obidients,” is now aligned with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), where he is reported to be seeking the presidential ticket. Usman acknowledged Obi’s role in boosting Labour Party’s profile in 2022, saying he convinced her and many others to join, but stressed that the party must now follow legal frameworks.
Party-switching is a familiar feature of Nigerian politics. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has contested under multiple platforms, including PDP, ACN, and APC, before returning to PDP. Rabiu Kwankwaso left PDP for the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in 2022 before resigning in 2026. Obi himself left PDP for Labour Party just before the 2022 primaries, reshaping the party’s fortunes.
Analysts say Usman’s remarks signal Labour Party’s intent to enforce stricter adherence to electoral law and internal discipline. For Obi, the comments highlight the narrowing of options if ADC primaries do not favor him. The development also suggests Labour Party will likely field a new candidate in 2027, with speculation around figures such as Datti Baba-Ahmed.
The statement underscores the shifting alliances and legal constraints shaping Nigeria’s political landscape as the 2027 race intensifies.
