Nenadi Usman, the national caretaker chairman of the Labour Party, says it would be legally impossible for Peter Obi, its 2023 presidential candidate to return to the party and contest its presidential ticket.
Speaking on Prime Time on Arise TV on Wednesday, Usman said the party’s timeline under the Electoral Act would not permit such a move.
“It will be too late for him to come back,” Usman said.
She explained that once the party closes its membership register and submits it to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of primaries, no new entrant can be added.
“At some point, we close the register, 21 days before primaries. Once we submit the register to INEC, you can’t come from behind the door for us to register you and for you to contest. That would be legally impossible,” she said.
Usman, however, acknowledged Obi’s role in elevating the party during the 2023 election.
“He convinced many of us to join the Labour Party,” she said.
She added that Obi’s candidacy attracted widespread support and brought new members into the party based on principles of equity and fairness.
Usman said she and others left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the time because they believed it was unjust not to zone the presidency to the south.
Despite acknowledging Obi’s impact, she maintained that the party must adhere strictly to its rules and the law governing electoral processes.
