A chieftain of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Agada, on Friday, declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election during a historic visit to the Och’Idoma Palace.

Agada used the occasion to inform the Paramount Ruler, Elaigwu Odogbo Obagaji John, of his aspiration to run for the Presidency of Nigeria, in a move that drew a large turnout of palace chiefs, youth groups and traditional aides.

Arriving with a delegation of young professionals and political allies, the Labour Party stalwart was received warmly, as the palace atmosphere turned festive with chants and cultural displays.

Addressing the royal court, Arch. Agada, the immediate past Director of Finance of the Obedient Movement, ran through his policy blueprint, which he calls Labour Direct.

He listed insecurity, mass youth unemployment, the weakening naira, infrastructure decay, and broken trust in governance as “major problems befallen us as a nation.”

Under Labour Direct, he pledged Security, Community-led intelligence fused with tech-driven architecture to secure farms and cities.

On job creation, he proposed the establishment of industrial hubs in each geopolitical zone, focusing on agro-processing and solid minerals, with direct links to youth employment.

He also pledged a national skills-to-industry programme, alongside urgent reforms in education and primary healthcare, as part of efforts to strengthen human capital development.

Agada said: “Nigeria needs execution, not excuses. Labour Direct is about putting Nigerians to work, securing them, skilling them, and giving them a stake.”

The Labour Party presidential hopeful is part of the Big Tent Shadow Government as Minister of Infrastructure, Energy, Works, Housing & Urban Development. He was also Big Tent Support Group Council Chairman.

Agada is the Founder and Chairman, Cyrus Group Nigeria, World’s largest Acoustics Organisation. He is also the President of the Congress of Nigerian Professionals from 2006 to date.

HRM Elaigwu Odogbo Obagaji John, in his response, said he was “thrilled and excited” that young people are banding together and networking.

He praised Agada’s “boldness and demonstration of strength and capacity,” calling it a source of pride for Idoma land.

Still, the royal father issued a sobering charge: “Unity amongst the Idoma has been largely lacking. If we must present our best to Nigeria, we must first be one at home.”

The Och’Idoma offered royal blessings and prayed for the success of the project, calling on “all Idoma persons, at home and abroad, to join in support and prayers for their own.” As his prayers ended, the palace erupted in chants, with drummers and youth groups hailing the moment.

With the royal blessing secured and the palace visibly stirred, Agada’s camp says nationwide consultations under the Labour Direct banner begin in May.