By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Senator Nenadi Usman, has alleged that a former national chairman of the party, Julius Abure, is illegally selling nomination forms ahead of the 2027 general election.
Usman made the allegation while speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the party’s screening of aspirants for primaries on Thursday, May 21, in Abuja.
She added that the party has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Department of State Security (DSS) over the alleged illegal sale of forms.
Usman said that copies of the petitions written to the IGP and the SSS had also been forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission.
She described the alleged circulation of the illegal forms as deceitful, insisting that the leadership elected at the party’s convention in Umuahia remained the recognised one.
“We received the news surprisingly. It was a big surprise because after the court said his (Abure’s) tenure was over, we went to Umuahia, held a national convention, and elected new leaders.
“INEC was there and recognised what we did. The names on INEC’s website are those voted for in Umuahia, and then he comes and starts distributing forms,” she said.
She alleged that some aspirants had been misled into purchasing unauthorised forms from Abure’s camp.
“One man came here to tell me his wife was contesting, and when I looked at the form, it was not the form we issued. They are deceiving people, and it is not right at all,” she said.
The LP chairman further disclosed that the party had yet to be served with a notice of appeal to the Supreme Court by Abure’s camp.
Usman expressed optimism that the Supreme Court would likely uphold its earlier position on the party’s leadership dispute.
She said, “My take is that the Supreme Court will maintain its stand. If a court says my tenure is over tomorrow, I cannot go back to say it is not over.”
Usman maintained that the party is making preparations ahead of the 2027 general election, citing the number of aspirants showing interest in contesting on its platform.
“Judging from the number of people indicating interests to use the party as a platform to contest the election, I think the party is still strong,” she said.
The national chairman disclosed that three aspirants had so far purchased presidential nomination forms, reiterating the party’s decision to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South.
“We have decided that our next candidate or flag bearer should come from the South. Anybody from the North who wants to buy forms should not even bother,” she said.
The LP chairman stated that the party was considering a consensus arrangement, assuring Nigerians that the eventual primaries would be transparent.
“We are hoping for consensus, but we are going to screen really well because to lead this great country, we need the best. Whoever emerges after the screening and primaries, I assure you it will be free and fair,” she said.
