CLAIM: The Labour Party has promised to give Peter Obi an automatic ticket to contest in the 2027 election

VERDICT: False. There is no official report of such from the party or its executive council

FULL STORY

Recently, social media and several online platforms circulated claims suggesting that the Labour Party has promised to give Peter Obi an automatic ticket to contest in the next presidential election.

The claim alleges that the Labour Party leadership publicly declared that Peter Obi would be granted an automatic ticket for the presidential election, bypassing the party’s usual nomination process.

The X handle @ADCNews made the claim in a post featuring the photograph of the acting national chairperson of the Labour Party, Nenadi Usman. Attached is a caption that reads, “We will give Peter Obi an automatic ticket in the Labour Party. National Chairman.”

An X user comment under the post reads, “Booby trap for Peter Obi; imagine how the long-running issue was resolved as soon as Peter Obi left for ADC.” Now they want him back to labor party to have a divided opposition.”

Another commenter @all4 christ7 says, “These so-called opposition parties don’t learn. Must you always show your hand in a country of demonic politicians? Keep quiet, move your pieces strategically like a chessboard, then hit hard when it’s not expected. To fight APC, no be ordinary o, hmmn.

This narrative has gained traction, particularly among supporters and political commentators, with the post gathering over 41,000 views, more than 2000 likes and over 500 reposts. This report examines the veracity of this assertion and provides a fact-based analysis.

A screenshot of the X post

Peter Obi emerged as a prominent figure in Nigerian politics during the 2023 presidential election. After formally joining the Labour Party in May 2022, Obi was selected as the party’s presidential candidate through its established nomination procedures. His candidacy marked a significant shift in the Labour Party’s profile, elevating it to the forefront of national political discourse.

Obi’s campaign garnered widespread support among young voters and civil society groups, positioning himself as a credible alternative to candidates from the traditional major parties.

Although Peter Obi did not win the presidency in 2023, his campaign invigorated the Labour Party, expanding its influence and shaping the national political landscape. His ongoing involvement continues to attract attention, but there is no evidence that he has been promised or granted an automatic ticket for future presidential contests. Any such nomination would be subject to the Labour Party’s established procedures and guidelines

Upon a thorough review of official Labour Party statements, press releases, and interviews, there is no credible evidence to support the claim that an automatic ticket has been guaranteed to Peter Obi.

While all efforts to reach Nenadi Usman for comments were unsuccessful, Labour Party officials have consistently emphasised that their presidential candidate will emerge through a transparent and democratic primary process, in accordance with the party’s constitution and electoral guidelines.

Furthermore, Peter Obi himself has not made any public statement confirming receipt of an automatic ticket. Any such decision would require ratification by the party’s National Executive Committee and would be subject to internal party rules, which do not currently permit automatic nominations for any candidate.

CONCLUSION

The claim that the Labour Party has offered Peter Obi an automatic ticket to contest in the presidential election is unfounded and not supported by any official documentation or credible sources. As of now, all interested aspirants, including Peter Obi, are expected to participate in the party’s primary process.

For accurate information, it is advisable to rely on official Labour Party communications and reputable news outlets, rather than unverified social media posts.

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