2027: Labour Party Conducts Peaceful Primaries In Bayelsa

The Labour Party (LP) says it has successfully conducted peaceful and rancour-free National and State Assembly primaries across Bayelsa State as it prepares for the 2027 general elections.

The exercise, supervised by the Chairman of the State Primaries Election Committee, Dr. Kingsley Ineritei of Niger Delta University, Amassoma, produced candidates for the Bayelsa West Senatorial District, four House of Representatives seats, and nine State House of Assembly constituencies.

Among those who emerged was Elohim Commander Tamarau-emi John, who clinched the party’s ticket for Bayelsa West Senatorial District.

For the House of Representatives, the candidates include Talbot MacLean Johnnie for Ogbia Federal Constituency; Barr. Enu Kikanwa Timipre for Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency; Goodluck Subai Keme for Yenagoa/Kolokuma-Opokuma Federal Constituency; and Odayibo Peremobo-Owei Precious for Ekeremor/Sagbama Federal Constituency.

In the State House of Assembly contests, the primaries produced Hon. David Taylor Fyne for Southern Ijaw Constituency 1; Queen Ebiye Japhet for Yenagoa Constituency 2; Chief Tovie Pelesai for Yenagoa Constituency 1; Bolou Favour for Kolokuma/Opokuma Constituency 1; and Laiye Abraham Tueidei for Southern Ijaw Constituency 4.

Others are Epidei Funlayefa Fiyeke for Ekeremor Constituency 2; Nanyo Ayebagbalinyo Isaac for Nembe Constituency 1; Iti Baratuapre Samson for Southern Ijaw Constituency; and Toby Ebiwenimoh Bernard for Sagbama Constituency 3.

Speaking during the exercise, Bayelsa State Chairman of the Labour Party, Mr. Eneyi G.R. Zidougha, said the primaries were conducted peacefully despite ongoing leadership tensions within the party at the national level.

“It’s not a hidden fact that there are issues of leadership in our party which has made both members and aspiring aspirants to have some level of uncertainty,” he said.

Zidougha said the crisis followed court decisions which led to the emergence of Senator Esther Usman Nenadi as National Caretaker Chairman.

“The leadership of the Labour Party by the court injunction picked a National Caretaker Chairman in the person of Senator Esther Usman Nenadi to pilot party for now. Labour Party has since after the 2023 general election been bedeviled by individuals who didn’t mean well for Labour Party and this resulted in the removal of the legitimate National Chairman Barr. Julius Abure,” he said.

Despite the internal dispute, he insisted the party remained active nationwide.

“In 30 states, congresses were held on December 2, 4 and 6 respectively. Our names are at both the State and National levels of INEC which the Party leadership under Sen. Nenadi should also recognize,” he said.

Zidougha added that supporters of Barr. Julius Abure had approached the Supreme Court to challenge the Court of Appeal judgment delivered on April 21, 2026.

He expressed hope for a favourable outcome, saying: “We are hoping and trusting God that the Supreme Court will come out with the true judgement and return Barr. Julius Abure as the legitimate and constitutionally elected National Chairman.”

He urged members to remain peaceful and focused ahead of the general elections.

“As we gathered here today for the primaries of the authentic leadership of Labour Party Bayelsa State, I urge us to conduct ourselves for a peaceful and fruitful party primaries to elect our flag bearers for the forthcoming general elections,” he said.