2027: Henry Eze Emerges LP House of Reps Candidate for Aba North/South as Ceekay Igara Wins Abure Faction Governorship Primary in Abia

UMUAHIA, ABIA STATE — The Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party (LP) has concluded its primary elections nationwide ahead of the 2027 general elections, in Abia state producing Engr. Henry Eze as its House of Representatives candidate for Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency and Hon. Ceekay Igara as its governorship flagbearer.

According to results released by officials of the Abure faction, Hon. Ceekay Igara secured a commanding 58,185 votes to defeat his closest rival and clinch the governorship ticket, reaffirming his position as one of the leading figures within the faction’s political structure in the South-East.

Engr. Henry Eze also emerged victorious in the primary election for the Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency seat, polling an overwhelming majority of votes from delegates and party stakeholders across the constituency.

The development comes amid the lingering leadership crisis rocking the Labour Party at the national level. The party remains divided between the Julius Abure-led faction and the camp loyal to Senator Nenadi Usman, which enjoys the support of Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti.

The Abure faction has maintained that it remains the legitimate leadership of the Labour Party and has continued to conduct party activities, including the distribution of free nomination forms to aspirants seeking elective offices in the 2027 elections. The faction recently announced a nationwide policy of free expression of interest and nomination forms for governorship, National Assembly, and State Assembly aspirants as part of efforts to encourage wider political participation and reduce financial barriers for prospective candidates.

The emergence of Ceekay Igara is particularly significant given recent declarations by the Abure camp that he remains its preferred governorship candidate in Abia State. The faction had previously distanced itself from Governor Alex Otti’s political activities, insisting that any vote for Labour Party governorship would belong to Igara.

Meanwhile, the Nenadi Usman-led National Working Committee recently presented Governor Alex Otti with a free Labour Party governorship nomination form in recognition of his administration’s performance and continued loyalty to the party. The gesture further highlighted the deepening divisions within the party as both factions continue to lay claim to the Labour Party’s leadership and electoral structures ahead of 2027.

Political observers believe the emergence of parallel candidates and competing party structures could shape the political landscape in Abia State as the Labour Party prepares for another crucial electoral cycle.

With Henry Eze’s emergence for Aba North/Aba South and Ceekay Igara’s victory in the governorship primary, the Abure faction has signaled its readiness to challenge for key positions in Abia State despite the ongoing legal and political disputes over the party’s national leadership.