LP Primaries: Otti, Abaribe, Abbo, Maku, Agbese, Betty Akeredolu Clinch 2027 Tickets

The Labour Party has concluded a series of primary elections across the country, producing candidates for governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and state assembly positions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The exercise, conducted in several states through direct primaries and consensus arrangements, saw the emergence of a number of high-profile political figures, including Abia State Governor Alex Otti, former Information Minister Labaran Maku, former Adamawa North Senator Ishaku Abbo, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and former Ondo State First Lady Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu.

In Abia State, Governor Alex Otti secured the party’s governorship ticket after polling 368,230 votes in a direct primary election.

Receiving his certificate of return at the International Conference Centre in Umuahia, Otti described his emergence as only the beginning of a more demanding political journey.

“The job has just started,” he told party members.

“If you were not a candidate, then you can’t fight. But now that you are a candidate, election is contention and at the end of the day, the best person must win.”

The governor urged all candidates to move beyond party structures and engage independent voters ahead of the general election.

Also in Abia, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe secured the Labour Party’s ticket for Abia South Senatorial District, while Darlington Nwokocha and David Ogba Onuoha emerged as candidates for Abia Central and Abia North respectively.

In Benue State, House of Representatives member Philip Agbese secured the party’s ticket for another term representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency.

Agbese, who defected from the APC to the Labour Party earlier this year, polled over 52,000 votes across the constituency’s 35 wards.

Reacting to his victory, the lawmaker described the outcome as a reaffirmation of public confidence in his representation.

According to him, the Labour Party has witnessed rapid growth in the constituency since his defection.

Samuel Onuh also emerged as the party’s senatorial candidate for Benue South, while Mathias Byuan secured the governorship ticket.

In Adamawa State, former Senator Ishaku Abbo clinched the Labour Party governorship ticket, positioning himself for a major political comeback.

Meanwhile, in Imo State, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu emerged as the Labour Party candidate for Owerri Federal Constituency.

In Nasarawa State, the party produced Jonathan Gaza as its governorship candidate following a special nomination congress in Lafia.

Returning Officer Kalu Ekeh declared Gaza duly elected after satisfying all constitutional requirements.

Labaran Maku, a former Minister of Information, also emerged unopposed as the party’s senatorial candidate for Nasarawa North.

Speaking after his emergence, Gaza expressed confidence that the Labour Party would record a major electoral breakthrough in the state.

The party also adopted consensus arrangements in Rivers and Sokoto states.

In Rivers, Chima Boms emerged as governorship candidate, while former Nigeria Labour Congress chairperson Beatrice Itubo secured the Rivers East Senatorial ticket.

Similarly, Aminu Umar Ahmad emerged as the party’s governorship candidate in Sokoto State.

Party officials described the exercises as peaceful, transparent and reflective of growing internal cohesion as preparations intensify for the 2027 elections.