Labour Party Fixes Primaries For May 27, Grants Otti Free Nomination Forms

The Labour Party has released its timetable for the 2026 primary elections, fixing May 27 and 29 for key primaries across all elective offices ahead of the 2027 polls.

In a statement issued on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Ken Eluma Asogwa, the party said the schedule aligns with the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026, and INEC’s revised timetable for the 2027 elections.

The sale of nomination forms will run from Wednesday, May 6 to Monday, May 16, 2026. The submission of completed forms is scheduled for Tuesday, May 17 to Wednesday, May 18, 2026.

Screening of aspirants for House of Assembly and governorship positions is fixed for May 20, 2026. National Assembly and presidential aspirants will be screened on May 22, 2026, with results to be published on May 23.

Appeals and petitions will be heard on May 24 for House of Assembly and governorship aspirants, and on May 25 for National Assembly and presidential aspirants. The final list of cleared aspirants will be released on May 26, 2026.

Party primaries for House of Assembly and governorship positions are scheduled for May 27, 2026. National Assembly and presidential primaries will hold on May 29, 2026.

The party said the timeline was adopted to meet statutory obligations as parties conclude internal processes ahead of INEC’s May 10 deadline for submission of membership registers.

“The National Working Committee will present both the Expression of Interest Form and the Nomination Form to Governor Alex Otti free of charge,” Asogwa stated.

He said the waiver is in appreciation of “the good work he is doing as a governor,” adding that his performance has “projected the party in a good light.”

Describing Otti as the party’s “poster boy and star boy,” Asogwa noted that the gesture is intended as a reward system to encourage him and other aspirants to “do more in attending to the needs of the people.”