Labour Party Chairman Nenadi Usman has said it would be too late for the party’s former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to return and contest under its platform ahead of the 2027 general election.

“It will be too late” — Usman explains

Speaking on Prime Time on Arise Television, Usman said party procedures and electoral guidelines would prevent any late return.

“Well, it will be too late, actually for him to come back… once we close the register 21 days before primaries and submit the e-register to INEC, you can’t come from behind the door,” she said.

She stressed that the timeline makes it impossible for new entrants to be registered and cleared to contest once the process is closed.

Acknowledges Obi’s impact on party

Despite her position, Usman admitted that Obi played a major role in building the Labour Party’s current profile.

“Even me, he convinced me to come with him… many people that are in Labour Party today were convinced by Peter because we believed in equity and fairness,” she said.

She added that no current party member commands the same level of political momentum Obi brought during the 2023 election.

Explains defection from PDP

Usman also spoke on her decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party, linking it to disagreements over zoning.

“We believed that PDP should have zoned the seat to the south… though I’m a Northerner, I felt it was not fair,” she said.

Her stance, she noted, led to her move to the Labour Party alongside others who shared similar concerns.

Focus on party ideology and leadership

Looking ahead, the LP chairman said the party would return to its core principles of social justice and equal opportunity.

She pointed to Abia State Governor Alex Otti as a leading example of the party’s ideals in practice.

“He is what I would say is the ambassador of the Labour Party… and he’s doing very well,” she said.

Call for political participation

Usman also urged Nigerians, particularly activists and unionists, to participate more actively in politics.

“If you think you’re an activist… come contest elections, because you cannot change from outside,” she said.

The comments have added to ongoing discussions around party alignments and preparations for the next election cycle in latest Nigerian news and breaking news Nigeria today.