The Labour Party has recorded a fresh wave of interest in its 2027 electoral ambitions, as more aspirants across the country continued to purchase nomination forms for various elective positions ahead of the general elections.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Eluma Asogwa, the party said the “impressive surge” in the scramble for its nomination forms persisted at the party’s National Secretariat, with aspirants from different states and constituencies trooping to Abuja to formalise their intentions.
Among those who obtained nomination forms were Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, who is seeking to contest for the Imo East Senatorial District seat; Hassan Mamman Barguwa, who is vying for the Gombi/Hong Federal Constituency seat in Adamawa State; and Dennis Chibuzor Oshai, who is contesting for the Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency seat in Delta State.
Others listed by the party include Eric Edward, who is contesting for the Hong State Constituency seat in the Adamawa State House of Assembly, as well as Mohammed Hayatu Atiku, who is seeking the Uba/Gaya State Constituency seat in the state assembly.
Speaking with journalists shortly after purchasing his forms, Barguwa, a former federal lawmaker who previously represented Gombi/Hong Federal Constituency, praised the party’s nomination process, describing it as transparent and seamless.
He also expressed optimism about the future of the Labour Party in the North East region, saying the party’s support base in Adamawa State and across the zone was steadily expanding ahead of the 2027 elections.
“The process and modalities put in place by the party are seamless,” Barguwa said, while also assuring supporters of the party’s growing strength and renewed prospects in the region.
The party noted that as of the time the statement was released, several other aspirants were still present at the National Secretariat in Abuja to obtain nomination forms, signalling what it described as sustained momentum ahead of the next electoral cycle.
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India ready to support Nigeria’s textile sector revival, manufacturing growth
From: Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja
India has indicated interest to support Nigeria’s textile sector revival and manufacturing growth.
The Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Abhishek Singh, disclosed this on Thursday at the Textile Meet/B2B Nigeria–India engagement held at the premises of the High Commission.
Singh said both countries possessed complementary strengths capable of transforming the textile sector into a flagship area of economic cooperation through technology transfer, investment partnerships, skills development and deeper bilateral trade cooperation.
Singh noted that despite longstanding economic ties between both countries, textile trade remained below its full potential, stressing that India was ready to support Nigeria’s textile revival agenda through investments across the value chain.
“Nigeria’s textile revival programme offers opportunities for Indian firms to establish ginning, spinning and processing facilities in Nigeria’s cotton belts such as Katsina and Zamfara,” he said.
According to him, India could also provide “technology and skill transfer with regard to modern looms, digital printing and dyeing technology,” while Indian machinery manufacturers could supply equipment backed by training and buy-back arrangements.
The envoy disclosed that India exported textiles and apparel worth $37.75 billion in 2024–25, supplying more than 200 global markets and accounting for 4.1 per cent of global textile trade.
He explained that Indian exports to Nigeria currently include cotton fabrics, polyester-viscose blends, carpets, traditional wear fabrics, affordable garments and textile machinery.
Singh, however, observed that Indian textile products still faced limited access to Nigeria’s market due to import restrictions, high logistics costs, forex shortages and competition from cheaper Asian suppliers.
“Statistics show that Nigeria’s total textile export in 2024 was at 25.69 million dollars, of which India’s share is merely five per cent,” he said.
The High Commissioner said India was also interested in collaborating with Nigeria’s fashion industry, which he valued at over 4.7 billion dollars.
“Lagos Fashion Week and Arise Fashion Week have placed Nigerian designers on the global map. Consumer demand is huge and rising. Yet domestic production lags,” he stated.
He added that India was exploring possible collaboration between India’s National Institute of Fashion Technology and the Nigerian Fashion Institute in Lagos.
Singh further announced the launch of the India-Nigeria Bi-Monthly Trade Webinar Series in partnership with the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), aimed at directly connecting exporters and importers in both countries.
He also disclosed that the Indian government annually offers 250 fully-funded training slots under its Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation programme, including textile-related courses covering airfare, accommodation and visas.
In his remarks, President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Emeka Obegolu, represented by the Director-General of ACCI, Agabaidu Jideani, described the textile industry as one of Nigeria’s most promising but underutilised sectors.
“The textile sector was once a cornerstone of Nigeria’s industrial economy, providing jobs, supporting livelihoods and contributing significantly to GDP.
According to him, textiles represented “far more than fabric,” describing the industry as a source of jobs, innovation, cultural identity and economic transformation.
He said ACCI remained committed to reviving Nigeria’s textile value chain from cotton production to finished garments, while also promoting “Made-in-Nigeria” fabrics including Ankara, Adire and Aso-oke.
Obegolu said India’s expertise in textile machinery and manufacturing technology offered Nigeria a pathway to bridge gaps in industrial technology, facilitate capacity building and expand export access.
“We must move from dialogue to action, building concrete partnerships that will deliver measurable outcomes,” he added.
Also speaking, President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Jani Ibrahim, said Nigeria’s textile crisis demanded urgent intervention as rising imports continued to weaken domestic production.
Citing trade figures, Ibrahim said Nigeria imported textile products worth about ₦1.06 trillion in 2025, compared to ₦726.18 billion in 2024 and ₦377.47 billion in 2023.
“This is not a mere trade statistic; it is an urgent call to rebuild productive capacity,” he said.
“Nigeria does not need a ceremonial partnership. We need a production partnership.”
