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National Chairman of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Chief Barr. Dan Nwanyanwu, has emerged as the party’s consensus presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, pledging to unite Nigeria and tackle insecurity, corruption, poor power supply and unemployment.

Nwanyanwu was endorsed by delegates and stakeholders of the party at its presidential convention held in Abuja on Saturday.

In his acceptance speech, the veteran politician outlined an ambitious agenda focused on national unity, security, anti-corruption reforms, energy development, industrialisation and youth empowerment.

“Specifically and practically, my government will solve the problem of insecurity in Nigeria and make corruption a thing of the past,” he declared.

The ZLP flag bearer accused successive governments of tolerating corruption and criticized what he described as a culture in which politically exposed persons accused of corruption are welcomed into ruling parties and shielded from accountability.

“A situation in our country where political leaders encourage corrupt political and public office holders to join the ruling party in order to be forgiven their sins of corruption is not only unacceptable but also scandalous,” he said.

See also  Labour Party Affirms Peter Obi as Presidential Candidate for 2027 Elections

He promised that his administration would operate a zero-tolerance policy on corruption and strengthen existing anti-graft institutions through legislative reforms.

According to him, the laws establishing anti-corruption agencies would be reviewed to make them more proactive, effective and capable of preventing corruption before it occurs.

Nwanyanwu further pledged to conduct comprehensive audits of properties and bank deposits across the country to determine the legality of acquired wealth and identify illicit financial flows.

He argued that Nigeria loses enormous resources through leakages in public institutions, corporations, agencies and parastatals, adding that a thorough audit of government establishments since the return to democratic rule in 1999 could help recover substantial public funds.

The recovered resources, he said, would be invested transparently in healthcare, education, infrastructure and other critical sectors.

On electricity, Nwanyanwu described the energy sector as one of the most poorly managed areas of the Nigerian economy and vowed to implement sweeping reforms.

He promised to review the national grid system, encourage private sector participation in electricity generation and distribution, and expand investments in renewable energy.

The presidential candidate also pledged to explore Nigeria’s vast coal reserves in states such as Enugu and Kogi as part of a broader strategy to boost power generation and support industrial growth.

Addressing economic development, Nwanyanwu said his administration would prioritize industrialisation by improving the ease of doing business, removing bureaucratic bottlenecks that discourage investors, and providing infrastructure needed to support businesses.

He promised easier access to credit for young entrepreneurs through financial institutions and special intervention programmes aimed at supporting small and medium-scale enterprises.

“My government will encourage young entrepreneurs not to wait for opportunities but provide the enabling environment for them to create opportunities through innovation and productivity,” he said.

The ZLP candidate also advocated greater devolution of powers to states and local governments, particularly in the management of education and other social services, in line with the principles of federalism.

He pledged to pursue constitutional reforms, strengthen literacy programmes, improve transportation and healthcare services, and implement policies that protect the rights and welfare of citizens.

Nwanyanwu concluded by assuring Nigerians that the details of his manifesto would be made public in the coming days, expressing confidence that the country could overcome its challenges through accountable leadership, transparency and national unity.

His emergence formally positions the Zenith Labour Party in the race for the 2027 presidential election as political parties intensify preparations ahead of the next general polls.

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Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that Rivers State has no choice but to continue supporting President Bola Tinubu, citing what he described as unprecedented federal appointments and developmental projects enjoyed by the state under the current administration.

Wike made the declaration on Saturday in Port Harcourt during a luncheon organised by the Rainbow Coalition in honour of candidates participating in the forthcoming Governorship, National Assembly and State Assembly  elections in Rivers State.

The former Rivers State governor urged residents to compare the benefits the state had received under previous administrations with what it had gained in less than three years of the Tinubu administration.

According to him, Rivers people must appreciate the President for recognising and rewarding the state.

“From 2023 to now, compare what Rivers State has benefited under this administration with what it got under previous governments. Look at the appointments and opportunities that have come to Rivers State. Compare them and tell yourselves the truth.

“President Tinubu has shown so much appreciation to Rivers people. We have no choice but to continue supporting him,” Wike said.

The minister dismissed ethnic and sectional sentiments in politics, insisting that governance and development should remain the primary considerations for voters.

He urged political supporters to focus on grassroots mobilisation rather than media appearances, stressing that elections are won at polling units.

“Television will not give you votes. What gives votes is going to your polling units, your wards and your local governments. Deliver your polling unit, deliver your ward and deliver your local government,” he said.

Wike also expressed confidence in the political strength of the Rainbow Coalition, declaring that the group would dominate future elections in the state.

“If you want to be relevant in Rivers politics, come and join the Rainbow Coalition. If you want to be governor, senator, House of Representatives member or councillor, come and join us,” he stated.

The FCT minister warned against any attempt to destabilise Rivers State, saying the state would resist forces seeking to undermine its interests.

“Rivers people are peaceful, but nobody should take our peaceful disposition for granted. Nobody can come here and hijack what belongs to our people,” he said.

Wike further called on aggrieved politicians to return and work with the coalition, assuring them that there was room for reconciliation and unity.

“I am using this opportunity to forgive everybody. Come back home sincerely and let us work together for the progress of Rivers State,” he said.

The former governor maintained that leadership should be determined by competence and commitment to the welfare of the people rather than ethnicity or religious considerations.

“It does not matter where a leader comes from. What matters is that the person will not make us regret supporting him. Our concern is good governance and the development of Rivers State,” he added.

At the event were the All Progressives Congress, Peoples Democratic Party and Action Alliance governorship candidates,  Hon. Kingsley Chinda,  Sam Ejekwu and Ben Eke respectively,  while that of Labour Party,  Chima Bons was represented.

Others like the State Chairman of APC, Tony Okocha,  PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Aaron Chukwuemeka,  Senator Allwell Onyesoh,  Rivers State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors,  Ambassador Desmond Akawor,  Ambassador-Designate to Ireland,  Chief OCJ Okocha (SAN), Chairman of the Board of the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission,  Senator Magnus Abe, Niger Delta Development Commission’s Executive Director of Finance and Administration and  Boma Iyaye eulogiced the FCT Minister’s ingenuity in bringing together all major political gladiators in the State.

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…says Ticket still open to APC, PDP, LP, AA
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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed speculations surrounding the automatic endorsement of any governorship candidate under the  “Rainbow Coalition” in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 general elections.

​Speaking on Saturday at a high-profile luncheon organized for candidates of the coalition in Port Harcourt, Wike clarified that while the political bloc has firmly resolved to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, it has not settled on any individual for the state’s governorship.

​Addressing the cross-party gathering, Wike dismissed what  he called premature victory celebrations by any of the candidates, noting that such claims create a false impression and undermine his own political standing, especially given his affiliation with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

​”The Rainbow Coalition, we have not chosen who will be the governor of Rivers State. But we have party candidates who have emerged under the Rainbow Coalition.

“The only decision we have taken is that we are going to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Wike declared.

​Wike reminded the stakeholders that the alliance is an inclusive, multi-party structure comprising the All Progressives Congress (APC), PDP, Labour Party (LP), and Action Alliance (AA).

He emphasized that final strategic decisions would be made collectively under the leadership of the coalition’s chairman.

The Minister noted that all candidates from the participating parties are “okay for Rivers State” and have been praying for success.

​ All political blocks, including AA, LP, and APC, were urged to continue their grassroots preparations until the coalition formally meets to take a unified position.

​The FCT Minister launched a scathing critique against external commentators, human rights activists, and media organizations that he accused of historically exploiting the state’s political volatility for financial gain.

Wike stated that the Rainbow Coalition was engineered to permanently alter this negative perception.

​”God said no, we must come together as a people, irrespective of our political leanings.

“What is important is that we must talk about the development of our state. We must talk about the unity of our state,” Wike maintained.

Taking a swipe at newer or less established political parties—specifically mentioning the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Wike argued that noise-making and political defections should not be mistaken for structural electoral capacity.

​He stated that only the PDP, APC, and Labour Party have demonstrated true operational experience in running national and statewide elections across Nigeria.

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