The Labour Party (LP) leadership has dismissed claims of zoning its presidential ticket to the Southeast.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, made this known in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday while reacting to a report making the rounds that the party had zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the Southeast.

Ifoh clarified that the party’s National Chairman, Julius Abure’s statement issued on Sunday, entitled: “2027: Labour Party still available for Ndigbo to realise presidency – Abure”, was not alluding to the party zoning its 2027 ticket to the Southeast zone.

He stated that Abure was quoted out of context, emphasizing that the party had not and would not zone any of its positions to any geographical zone or individual.

The national publicity secretary maintained that Abure only advised some Southeast members at a gathering that Ndigbo could still achieve the presidency if they were more united and able to reach out to other groups.

According to him, Abure meant the Labour Party was a veritable platform for the aspirations of the Ndigbo, adding that Nigerians should continue to have faith in the party and support it for the huge task ahead.

He said, “Labour Party is a national party and has large followership across the country and, therefore, the issue of zoning does not arise.

“In the 2023 general elections, the party won seats in the north and across the southern states, and we are working hard to surpass that achievement in future elections.

“Candidates for every position must emerge through highly-competitive and democratic processes, as the party’s constitution does not permit zoning.

“We, therefore, regret the misinterpretation of the party’s noble intention by a section of the media. Our party was quoted out of context,” he said.

The national publicity secretary, however, said that they were excited by the deluge of concerns raised by the public over the misinformation.

“It clearly shows the level of love and trust Nigerians have for the Labour Party and how far they are willing to support it in the task of repositioning Nigeria and ensuring that the democracy works again in our dear country.”