The Nenadi Usman-led Labour Party has announced Dr. Chibuzo Okereke, a governance expert and policy strategist, as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
The announcement was made in a statement issued on Saturday by the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, who said Okereke emerged through a broad-based consensus process involving party members and stakeholders.
According to Asogwa, the decision was ratified in Abuja on Friday, May 30, 2026.
The development comes amid renewed internal tension within the Labour Party, as a faction led by Julius Abure reportedly adopted the party’s National Youth Leader, Prince Kennedy Ahanotu, as a parallel presidential candidate.
Ahanotu, 42, was said to have emerged during the faction’s presidential, governorship and House of Representatives primaries held in Abuja, highlighting the continuing leadership crisis within the opposition party ahead of the 2027 elections.
However, the Nenadi Usman-led faction maintained that Okereke’s emergence reflected the party’s commitment to presenting credible, competent and transformational leadership to Nigerians.
“The Labour Party is pleased to formally present Dr. Chibuzo Okereke as its presidential candidate for the 2027 Presidential Election,” the statement said.
“He emerged following a broad-based consensus among party members and stakeholders which was affirmed in Abuja on 30th May, 2026.”
Asogwa described Okereke as a governance reform advocate with strong credentials in public policy, legislative governance and institutional development.
He said Okereke is the President of ERGAF-AFRICA Legislative Governance Innovation and Policy Hub, a policy and legislative research institution, and also serves as a legislative consultant to committees and ranking members of the National Assembly.
Okereke is also a lecturer in the Department of Public Policy and Administration at Miva Open University, Abuja, where he contributes to training public sector leaders and policy professionals.
“Dr. Okereke has built an impressive reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading voices on public policy, legislative governance and institutional development,” Asogwa said.
“He embodies the vision of competent, accountable and transformational leadership that Nigeria urgently requires at this critical moment.”
According to the statement, Okereke holds a doctorate degree in legislative governance studies and master’s degrees in public administration and legislative studies, earned with distinction.
The party said his expertise in governance, public accountability and national development had earned him recognition as an analyst and commentator on national and international media platforms.
Asogwa added that beyond his professional achievements, Okereke has remained committed to youth empowerment, educational advancement and democratic reforms.
“Beyond his professional accomplishments, he has remained committed to nation-building through youth empowerment, educational advancement and democratic reforms,” he said.
“His leadership, intellectual depth and proven commitment to good governance make him well-positioned to lead Nigeria towards a more prosperous and accountable future.”
The faction said Okereke’s emergence as its presidential candidate represents a deliberate choice to offer Nigerians a reform-minded alternative ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The development further underscores the deepening divisions within the Labour Party, with rival factions now presenting separate presidential candidates ahead of the next general election.
