The Nasarawa State chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Alexander Umbugu, has stated that expression of interest and nomination forms will be issued free of charge to all aspirants seeking to contest under the party, saying the move is aimed at reducing financial pressure on individuals who are genuinely interested in public service rather than forcing candidates to incur heavy debts that may later encourage corrupt practices in office.
Umbugu made the remarks on Friday while speaking with journalists, explaining that the party is open to all Nigerians regardless of economic background, as reflected in its “Papa, Mama and pikin” symbol.
He said, “If you look at our logo, it is Papa, Mama and pikin. The people you are seeing, not all their fingers are equal. We want to treat them as if they don’t have money like other people; they should come to our party, and we are going to do the needful for them to come and contest. We have done that in 2023; many people won the election under the Labour Party free of charge.”
He added that the party was officially presenting forms to aspirants ahead of the 2027 general elections, covering governorship, National Assembly, and state assembly positions, and encouraged interested members in Nasarawa State to take advantage of the opportunity.
Umbugu further noted that, unlike other political parties where nomination fees can reach millions of naira—ranging from about one million naira to as high as 25 million naira in some cases—the Labour Party maintains a more accessible structure.
He questioned the affordability of such fees, arguing that high-cost politics discourages genuine service, and added that those who spend heavily to secure tickets may later seek to recover their expenses once in office instead of prioritising the public good.
He reiterated that the Labour Party focuses on enabling broader participation so that elected officials can deliver “the dividends of democracy” to citizens.
The state chairman, aligned with the Abure-led faction of the party, also said that despite a court ruling favouring the Nnadi camp, he believes the Supreme Court will ultimately uphold Barr. Julius Abure as the legitimate national chairman.
He further explained that his state executive emerged from a congress held on December 2nd, 4th, and 6th, 2025, affirming that he remains in office as state chairman. He also noted that the party is preparing to conduct primaries to select candidates for upcoming elections, beginning with the bye election for Nasarawa North Senatorial District following the death of Senator Godiya Akwashiki, whose seat was declared vacant.
