Excerpt from: Vanguard Nigeria

The Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Dr. Chibuzo Okereke, has emphasized that the selection of Hajia Bintu Konto as his running mate for the 2027 general election was rooted strictly in merit, competence, and a commitment to genuine inclusion.

Speaking during the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Personality Interview Series in Abuja, Dr. Okereke highlighted that the Labour Party stands out as a trailblazer in political representation, featuring women in crucial leadership roles including national chairman, legal adviser, and national organizing secretary.

“The level of women representation in the party structure is a demonstration of the foundational principles and philosophy of Labour Party,” Okereke stated.

Merit, Competence, and Geopolitical Balancing

Addressing the criteria behind the nomination, Dr. Okereke noted that Hajia Bintu Konto was chosen not merely for her gender, but for her proven capacity, professional background as a public health specialist, and demonstrated humanitarian leadership in the development sector.

Core considerations driving the presidential ticket include:

• Ending Sidelining: Describing the exclusion of women—who comprise nearly half of Nigeria’s population—as an attempt to “clap with one hand” and underutilize national resources.

• Northern Empowerment: Recognizing the cultural and religious impetus across northern Nigeria to unleash women’s potential, providing a positive role model for young women, Muslims, and Christians alike.

• Complementary Governance: Delivering a well-balanced ticket combining strategic policy expertise with public health implementation to ensure effective national governance.

Retaining the 2023 Electoral Momentum and Youth Base

Reacting to political shifts within the party, Dr. Okereke maintained that despite former Governor Peter Obi’s exit, the Labour Party retains the foundational six million-vote advantage from the 2023 elections. Having resolved internal party crises, he stressed that as presidential candidate, he inherited both party assets and liabilities.

Drawing on his extensive background as a former student union president, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) senator, and Nigerian Youth Assembly member, Okereke reaffirmed his deep connection to the youth demographic. He added that the party has successfully adopted the governance blueprint of Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, as a national template to drive sustainable development and bring prosperity to all Nigerians.