Abuja, Nigeria — The Labour Party (LP) has officially decided to reserve its presidential ticket for the 2027 general elections for candidates from the southern region of the country. This significant internal policy shift was confirmed by the party’s acting National Chairperson, Nenadi Usman, during a press briefing with journalists in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria, on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
Nenadi Usman, who previously served as Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and represented Kaduna South as a Senator, clarified that the party will not entertain any aspirants from the northern part of the country for the highest office. Speaking at the event in West Africa, she emphasized that the decision is a firm one designed to shape the party’s path toward the next election cycle.
“We have one certain decision that we have taken, and that is that we will certainly not field any aspirant from northern Nigeria,” the acting National Chairperson stated. Her remarks underscore a strategy often referred to in Nigerian politics as “zoning,” a practice used by political parties to rotate key leadership positions between different geographical regions to ensure a sense of inclusion.
The Labour Party, which gained significant international attention during the 2023 elections, is currently navigating a period of internal transition. Okay News reports that this declaration effectively narrows the field for potential candidates, as the party seeks to consolidate its support base ahead of 2027. Usman further noted, “We have zoned the position to Southern Nigeria. So if any northerner comes now to want to contest elections, we certainly will not accept that.”
This move comes at a time when major political organizations in the federal government of Nigeria (FG) are beginning to align their strategies for the next national vote. By explicitly excluding northern candidates at this stage, the Labour Party (LP) aims to provide a clear direction for its members and supporters across the 36 states of the federation. While the specific southern candidate has not been named, the party’s leadership remains resolute that the presidency must originate from either the South-West, South-East, or South-South geopolitical zones.
