The Labour Party (LP) has announced that Alex Otti will receive free expression of interest and nomination forms for his second-term governorship bid in Abia State, as the party sets its presidential nomination fee at ₦50 million.
The decision was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, alongside the timetable for the LP’s 2026 primary elections.
According to the schedule, the sale of nomination forms will begin on May 6 and close on May 16, while submission of completed forms is slated for May 17 to May 18. Screening of aspirants will hold on May 20 for state assembly and governorship positions, and on May 22 for national assembly and presidential aspirants. Results of the screening are expected to be published on May 23.
The party also fixed May 24 for appeals and petitions relating to state positions, and May 25 for national offices. The final list of cleared aspirants will be released on May 26.
Primaries for state assembly and governorship candidates are scheduled for May 27, while those for national assembly and presidential aspirants will take place on May 29.
On the cost of nomination forms, the LP pegged the presidential expression of interest form at ₦10 million and the nomination form at ₦40 million, bringing the total to ₦50 million. Governorship aspirants are required to pay ₦25 million, while senatorial forms cost ₦10 million. Forms for the House of Representatives are priced at ₦5 million, and those for state houses of assembly at ₦3 million.
However, the party announced a waiver for Governor Otti, stating that he would receive both forms free of charge. The gesture, according to the statement, is in recognition of his performance in office and his contribution to enhancing the party’s image.
In addition, female aspirants, persons with disabilities, and youths aged 25 to 30 will only be required to pay for the expression of interest forms across all categories.
The party also urged prospective aspirants to complete their membership registration before the May 4 deadline, ahead of the submission of its register to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
