The Labour Party (LP) has named renowned public health expert and humanitarian practitioner, Hajiya Bintu Konto, as the running mate to its 2027 presidential candidate, Dr. Chibuzo Okereke, completing the party’s presidential ticket ahead of the next general election.
The announcement, made in a statement on Saturday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Eluma Asogwa, said Konto’s nomination followed wide-ranging consultations within the party and reflected its commitment to fielding a leadership team built on competence, integrity, inclusiveness and national unity.
According to the party, Konto brings more than three decades of experience in public health, humanitarian intervention, community development and stakeholder engagement, particularly across conflict-affected communities in Nigeria’s North-East.
Before retiring from Catholic Relief Services (CRS), she served in several strategic positions, including Community and Government Liaison Programme Officer, where she coordinated partnerships with governments, traditional institutions, civil society organisations and local communities on health, nutrition, water, sanitation and humanitarian programmes.
The party said she also played key roles in coordinating humanitarian and community mobilisation programmes across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, helping to improve the lives of internally displaced persons and other vulnerable groups.
A trained nurse, midwife, health educator and public health specialist, Konto holds a Master’s degree in Public Health and previously served as a lecturer in Community Health. She is also a member of Nigeria’s Country Coordinating Mechanism of the Global Fund and National Treasurer of the Civil Society for Malaria Control, Immunisation and Nutrition (ACOMIN).
The Labour Party described her as a seasoned administrator with extensive experience in governance engagement, humanitarian coordination, women’s empowerment, conflict-sensitive programming and public policy implementation.
It added that her ability to communicate in English, Hausa, Kanuri, Shuwa, Fulani and Bura further strengthens the party’s vision of promoting national cohesion and inclusive leadership.
The party said the choice of Konto underscores its commitment to gender inclusion and the emergence of what it described as “a new generation of purposeful, people-centred leadership” capable of addressing Nigeria’s economic, security and governance challenges.
It called on Nigerians to support the Okereke-Konto ticket, expressing confidence that the pair would offer credible leadership focused on rebuilding the economy, strengthening institutions, improving security and restoring public trust in government.
The unveiling of Konto comes as political parties continue to consolidate their presidential tickets ahead of the 2027 general election.
