LP Announces Southern Zoning For 2027 Presidential Ticket

The Labour Party has officially zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the southern region of Nigeria, effectively barring aspirants from the northern part of the country.

The party’s acting National Chairperson, Nenadi Usman, announced the decision during an interview with journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, describing it as a firm position adopted by the party’s leadership.

“We have one certain decision that we have taken, and that is that we will certainly not field any aspirant from northern Nigeria,” Usman stated.

She added, “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.”

The zoning decision marks a significant development in the party’s internal strategy ahead of the 2027 general elections, scheduled to hold on January 16 for presidential and National Assembly polls.

Zoning arrangements have long been a feature of Nigerian political parties, often employed to balance regional representation and manage ethnic and geographical diversity. The practice, though not enshrined in law, has shaped presidential candidacy selections across major political platforms since the return to democratic rule in 1999.

The Labour Party’s move comes amid broader national conversations on regional equity and power rotation. In recent months, some civil society groups and regional stakeholders have called for a southern presidency in 2027, citing the need for balanced governance and equitable distribution of political power.