By John Dike, Osogbo
The Labour Party (LP) in Osun State has concluded its primary elections ahead of the 2027 general elections, producing candidates for National Assembly and State House of Assembly seats through a consensus arrangement endorsed by stakeholders across the state.
It also formally affirmed Dr. Chibuzo Okereke as its presidential candidate for the 2027 presidential election during the exercise held at the party’s state secretariat in Osogbo on Saturday.
The primaries were conducted under the supervision of the party’s Electoral Committee, chaired by Barrister Josiah Alaghe, who described the process as peaceful, transparent and in line with the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.
Announcing the outcome, Alaghe said all candidates presented across the senatorial districts and federal constituencies were duly affirmed by party members.
He noted that the peaceful conduct of the exercise reflected the growing strength and internal cohesion of the Labour Party in Osun State.
“People came out in large numbers and there were no issues or conflicts. All candidates were duly affirmed in their constituencies and districts. Labour Party remains one of the strongest opposition parties in Nigeria today,” he said.
Speaking after his affirmation, the party’s senatorial candidate for Osun East, Comrade Lanre Fadahunsi, described the exercise as a major milestone, urging members to intensify grassroots mobilization and recruit more people into the party.
According to him, the Labour Party remains committed to offering a people-oriented alternative capable of improving the welfare of workers, youths and ordinary Nigerians.
Also speaking, Osun State Chairman of the party, Mustapha Adebayo Muideen, described the exercise as democratic, unanimous and peaceful.
He said the affirmation process officially transformed the aspirants into candidates of the party and signalled the resolution of internal challenges that had previously affected the party.
“Today, Labour Party is formidable and ready for future elections. What happened here today has shown that democracy is alive within our party,” Muideen stated.
The chairman disclosed that officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), members of the party’s national electoral committee, state and local government executives, security agencies and political stakeholders monitored the exercise.
Also present was the Osun State Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and incoming Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in the state, Dr. Tosin Odeyemi, who urged political actors to focus on issue-based campaigns and shun politics of bitterness.
Odeyemi also advised voters against vote-buying and cautioned youths against allowing themselves to be used for violence or political manipulation.
In her remarks, the Deputy National Woman Leader of the Labour Party in the South-West, Mrs. Susan Ojo, described the affirmation exercise as a historic moment that marked a new phase of unity and growth for the party.
She called on workers, artisans, traders, civil servants and labour union members to actively participate in the party’s activities and contribute to building a stronger political movement.
The exercise ended peacefully, with party leaders expressing confidence that the Labour Party is well-positioned to play a significant role in future elections in Osun State and across the country.
