Former Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, and two presidential aspirants of the Labour Party were on Friday screened and cleared ahead of the party’s May 30 primaries.
The presidential hopefuls are former Director of Finance in the Obidient Movement, Peter Agada, and a London-based entrepreneur and oil mogul, Samuel Nwigwe.
The screening exercise, which took place at the party headquarters in Abuja, attracted several other aspirants contesting various political offices.
Speaking after the exercise, Nwigwe told journalists that his years living and working abroad convinced him that Nigeria can adopt successful governance models from London, Singapore, Toronto and Amsterdam.
The aspirant said he aims to build a secure and productive economy at home, citing the United Kingdom’s social welfare and security systems as examples Nigeria should emulate.
“Insecurity has displaced many Nigerians and weakened confidence in government, but it can be reversed with political will.
“If they hear of any kidnapper anywhere, helicopters are up, police chiefs are deployed,” he said, describing the responsiveness he wants to see in Nigeria.
Nwigwe also reaffirmed his commitment to the Labour Party’s ideology of social justice and equal opportunity.
Sharing similar sentiments, Agada pledged to lead an intensive campaign for the Labour Party’s 2027 presidential ticket, citing a nationwide network built over 20 years of political mobilisation.
While acknowledging the party’s zoning arrangement to the South, Agada said his ambition remained on track.
The aspirant further explained that despite the crises that recently rocked the party, many loyal members stayed behind to rebuild the structure.
“We have many other members like me who didn’t move. They stayed with the Labour Party. But some left for other political platforms. We’re bringing them back for our movement to pick up again.
“All they need to see is someone who is led by the party’s strong ideology. Somebody who speaks very lucidly with a passion that resonates with them and they will return,” he said.
On his part, Maku pledged to push for national reforms and a new constitution if elected senator on the platform of the Labour Party.
The former minister argued that to fix Nigeria, “the current governance system must be restructured to address insecurity and disunity.”
He also noted that his experience as a journalist, editor and public official under former President Goodluck Jonathan shaped his commitment to accountability and democracy.
“I believe insecurity in Nigeria is political. Politics must be freed of violence to allow development and protect citizens.
“We need a constitution that is complete and a government that will unite Nigeria,” he added.
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