Primaries: Labour Party Screens Nwigwe, Agada, Maku And Others

The Labour Party has screened presidential aspirants Samuel Nwigwe , Peter Agada, alongside former Minister of Information Labaran Maku and other aspirants in Abuja on Friday, with each outlining plans for 2027.

Speaking after screening , at the Party headquarters, presidential aspirant Samuel Nwigwe said his years living and working abroad convinced him that Nigeria can adopt successful governance models from London, Singapore, Toronto, and Amsterdam.

Nwigwe said he aims to build a secure and productive economy at home, citing the UK’s social welfare and security systems as examples Nigeria should emulate. He noted that state support for families and children ensures no child goes to bed hungry and builds public trust.

He stressed that peace and security require constitutional reforms, strong institutions, and rapid response strategies. “If they hear of any kidnapper anywhere, helicopters are up, police chiefs are deployed,” he said, describing the responsiveness he wants to see in Nigeria.

“Insecurity has displaced many Nigerians and weakened confidence in government, but it can be reversed with political will,” he added. Nwigwe promised to implement systems that allow citizens to move freely and safely across the country.

The aspirant reaffirmed his commitment to the Labour Party’s ideology of social justice and equal opportunity. He said loyal party members across the region remain with the party for that reason and expressed confidence in its prospects for 2027.

Similarly, Peter Agada said he is ready to lead an intensive campaign for the Labour Party’s 2027 ticket, citing a nationwide network built over 20 years of political mobilisation. Agada said he has already engaged leaders and members across the country who are part of the movement he formed after resigning as Director of Finance in the media.

Agada, who served as chairman of the party’s Support Groups Council between 2020 and 2023, said he previously coordinated over 500 support groups under a unified council. “The groups were connected into a unified council. We are not afraid to build it again. The structure is now being rebuilt ahead of the next election cycle,” he said.

He said his focus is on mobilising millions of young Nigerians who have turned 18 since the last election. “My mission is to go to these young people, get them into the platform, and build another game-changing movement,” he said, noting that many are looking for leadership anchored on clear ideology.

Agada also linked his campaign to the broader Obidient 2.0 movement, describing it as a democratic push driven by passion and people-centred politics. He noted that the network has continued to grow despite defections and political realignments after the 2023 elections.

While acknowledging the party’s zoning arrangement to the South, Agada said his ambition remains on track. He expressed confidence that voters would respond to a candidate who speaks with clarity and resonates with the concerns of ordinary Nigerians ahead of 2027.

Former Minister of Information and ex-deputy governor of Nasarawa State, Labaran Maku, pledged to push for national reform and a new constitution if elected senator under the Labour Party.

Maku said Nigeria’s governance structure must be restructured to address insecurity and disunity. He stressed that his experience as a journalist, editor, and public official under President Goodluck Jonathan shaped his commitment to accountability and democracy.

He recalled receiving a national honour for defending democracy during military rule and said that same conviction informs his return to politics.

He argued that much of Nigeria’s insecurity is political rather than purely social or economic. “I believe insecurity in Nigeria is political. Politics must be freed of violence to allow development and protect citizens,” he stated.

The former minister said he would use the Senate to advocate reforms that unite the country and strengthen leadership responsibility. “We need a constitution that is complete, a government that will unite Nigeria,” he said, describing himself as a nationalist committed to Nigeria’s potential and calling for a single voice for national development ahead of 2027.

For his part, Chief Solomon Onyejido, seeking to represent Nwangele/Nkwerre/Njaba/Isu Federal Constituency, said the Labour Party remains Nigeria’s strongest opposition and the platform to drive change. Onyejido said the party is positioned to take power and deliver accountable representation to the people.

He pledged to address poor roads, lack of water, and communities without electricity in his constituency, saying, “I can’t sit down and watch my people suffer.”