LP interim chair says Peter Obi cannot return after 2027 primary register closes
Nenadi Usman, interim national chairperson of the Labour Party, told Arise Television’s Prime Time interview on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, that Peter Obi will be too late to rejoin the party. She explained that under the Electoral Act, the party’s register closes 21 days before primaries and once the e‑register is submitted, no late registrations are allowed. Usman praised Obi for taking the party to greater heights in 2023 and for convincing her and many others to join the LP because of their belief in equity and fair play.
The statement matters because it closes a potential pathway for Obi’s 2027 presidential bid under the Labour Party, the platform he used in the 2023 election. While acknowledging his impact, Usman emphasized that party rules must be followed uniformly, affecting not only Obi but any aspirant hoping to join after the registration deadline.
Readers should note that the exact closure date for the 2027 primary register has not been announced. If Obi intends to run in 2027, he may need to consider other political parties or wait for future election cycles. Will Obi explore alternative platforms, or will Labour Party members advocate for rule adjustments before the registration window shuts?