By Erewunmi Peace

The Labour Party (LP) has officially zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the southern region of Nigeria, party leaders confirmed on Tuesday.

The decision, announced during a meeting in Abuja, aims to ensure regional balance in the party’s leadership and provide a clear pathway for southern aspirants to contest the presidency on the LP platform.

Senator Nenadi Usman, acting National Chairperson of the Labour Party, stated that while the ticket is reserved for the South, aspirants will still emerge through the party’s internal primary elections. She emphasized that the zoning arrangement reflects the party’s commitment to fairness, inclusiveness, and unity.

Political analysts say the move is consistent with the informal practice of power rotation among Nigerian political parties, intended to allow equitable opportunities for both northern and southern regions in federal elections.

Observers also note that the zoning decision does not legally bar any Nigerian from contesting the presidency through another party, but it does set a clear framework for the Labour Party’s internal nomination process ahead of the 2027 elections.

The announcement is expected to influence political calculations in both northern and southern states as parties prepare for campaigns and candidate selection in the next general elections.