…Unveils consensus candidates for 2027 elections

The Labour Party (LP) in Osun State has concluded its primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections, producing candidates for National Assembly and State House of Assembly seats through a consensus arrangement endorsed by party stakeholders across the state.

The primaries, held yesterday, were conducted under the supervision of the party’s Primaries Electoral Committee, chaired by Barrister Josiah Alaghe

Announcing the outcome of the exercise, the committee said the process was conducted peacefully and in line with the party’s constitution, electoral guidelines and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.

The affirmation exercise, conducted in line with the timetable of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saw candidates for senatorial, federal constituency and other elective positions endorsed by party members in their respective constituencies.

Speaking shortly after the exercise, Chairman of the Osun State Labour Party Electoral Committee, Barrister Josiah Alaghe, described the event as a huge success, noting that party members turned out in large numbers and conducted themselves peacefully throughout the process.

According to him, all candidates presented by the party across the senatorial districts and federal constituencies were duly affirmed, while the party’s presidential candidate also received affirmation at the state secretariat.

Alaghe said the peaceful conduct of the exercise reflected the growing strength and internal cohesion of the party.

“People came out in large numbers, and it is a good thing for the party that there were no issues or conflicts. All the candidates were duly affirmed in their constituencies and districts. Labour Party remains the healthiest opposition you can find in Nigeria today,” he said.

Also speaking, Labour Party senatorial candidate for Osun East, Comrade Lanre Fadahunsi, described the affirmation as a significant milestone for the party, saying it demonstrated that the Labour Party remains active and well-structured in Osun State.

Fadahunsi urged members to intensify grassroots mobilisation and recruit more people into the party, stressing that the Labour Party offers a people-centred alternative capable of improving the lives of workers, youths and ordinary Nigerians.

“The Labour Party is here and well represented in Osun State. We are ready to bring something different to governance. This is the time for people to begin to reap the fruits of their labour, and that is what our programmes seek to achieve,” he said.

The Osun State Chairman of the Labour Party, Mustapha Adebayo Muideen, described the exercise as “democratic, unanimous and peaceful,” noting that aspirants officially became candidates of the party following the affirmation process.

“Though we had some legal issues in the past, those issues are behind us. Today, the Labour Party is formidable and ready for the next elections. What happened here today showed that democracy is alive within our party,” he stated.

He added that officials of INEC, members of the party’s national electoral committee, state and local government executives, security agencies and political stakeholders witnessed the exercise.

Also present at the event was the Osun State Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and the incoming IPAC Chairman in Osun State, Dr Tosin Odeyemi, who called on political actors to embrace issue-based campaigns and avoid politics of bitterness ahead of future elections.

Odeyemi urged voters not to sell their votes and advised youths against allowing themselves to be used for violence or political manipulation.

“I want all candidates to sell their programmes and ideas rather than engage in defamation. Let us play the game according to the rules and allow the people to freely choose their leaders,” he said.

In her remarks, the Deputy National Woman Leader of the Labour Party (South-West), Madam Susan Ojo, described the affirmation as a historic moment for the party, saying it signified the end of internal disputes and the beginning of a stronger and more united Labour Party.

She appealed to workers, artisans, traders, civil servants and labour union members to identify with the party and participate actively in its activities.

“The Labour Party has come to stay. There is no division in the party. We are calling on all workers, market women, artisans and civil servants to return to their party and help build a better future for Nigeria,” she said.

The affirmation exercise ended peacefully amid enthusiastic participation by party faithful, with leaders expressing confidence that the Labour Party is repositioning itself to play a more prominent role in future elections in Osun State and across Nigeria.