2027: Abure-led LP unveils presidential candidate

Prince Kennedy Ahanotu, the National Youth Leader of the Labour Party, has been adopted as the consensus presidential candidate for the 2027 general election by the Julius Abure-led faction. The 42-year-old politician was selected during the faction's primaries held in Abuja.

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With a full sense of responsibility and unwavering commitment to our nation, I proudly accept the nomination of our great party, the Labour Party, as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election. With this consensus comes an even greater responsibility, and I pledge never to take that trust for granted.

This development takes place against the backdrop of a prolonged leadership crisis within the Labour Party, which involves a dispute between the Abure-led National Working Committee and a rival faction supported by prominent party figures, including Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti.

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I look forward to working closely with all the candidates and other leaders and stakeholders across the federation to strengthen our party structures, deepen internal democracy, reconcile differences where they exist, and reposition the party.

In his acceptance speech, Ahanotu committed to working towards party unity and reinforcing its organizational structures. He emphasized the need for reconciliation and collective responsibility, stating, "Our strength lies not in our differences but in our shared commitment to building a stronger party and a better Nigeria."

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I call on all leaders, stakeholders, and members of the Labour Party to embrace unity, reconciliation, and collective responsibility. Our strength lies not in our differences but in our shared commitment to building a stronger party and a better Nigeria.

Ahanotu specifically extended an invitation for reconciliation to Governor Otti, urging him to be "magnanimous in victory" and acknowledging the governor's role in Abia State. He expressed a belief in inclusivity, stating, "I believe in the more, the merrier," and aims to engage Otti and other stakeholders to foster unity within the party, which he described as a national platform rather than an "Abia project."

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I believe that Abia State Governor, His Excellency Dr Alex Otti, should be magnanimous in victory. I will reach out to him as the presidential candidate and find a way for us to reconcile the party. I believe in the more, the merrier.