Labour Party Says It Remains Strong Despite Dispute, Reschedules Primaries

The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Senator Nenadi Usman, has said the party remains strong and united despite ongoing leadership disputes and controversies over the sale of nomination forms.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja after the party’s screening exercise on Thursday, Usman described the process as successful and encouraging, citing the growing number of aspirants seeking to contest elections on the party’s platform.

“We started on Monday, and I’m happy that it has been a wonderful exercise. The interest shown by aspirants across the country proves that the party remains formidable ahead of future elections,” she said.

Usman dismissed reports that former National Chairman Julius Abure was distributing free nomination forms, describing the move as illegal and misleading.

She noted that the Supreme Court had affirmed that Abure’s tenure had expired, after which the party held a national convention in Umuahia where new leaders emerged in the presence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“The names currently on the INEC website are those elected at the convention in Umuahia. The party has since petitioned the Inspector-General of Police and the Department of State Services over the circulation of unauthorized nomination forms, with INEC also copied,” she added.

She warned aspirants and supporters against falling victim to fake forms, recounting how one man showed her a form his wife had bought that was not issued by the party.

Usman expressed confidence that the Supreme Court would maintain its earlier position on the leadership dispute.

On the party’s presidential ticket, Usman revealed that three aspirants had already purchased nomination forms and that the party had resolved that its next flag bearer should come from Southern Nigeria.

She said a consensus arrangement was being considered but assured members that the primaries would be transparent and credible.

Similarly, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, leader of the Abia State aspirants, said the state was prepared to sweep all elections in 2027.

He attributed the party’s strength in Abia to Governor Alex Otti’s performance and said the party would win the governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives, and State House of Assembly seats.

Aba South Federal Constituency aspirant and Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Poverty Alleviation, Alex Ikwechegh, also expressed confidence ahead of the primaries, saying no other contender had obtained a nomination form to challenge him.

He commended Otti’s leadership and defended consensus candidacy as a democratic arrangement recognized under the Electoral Act.

For his part, Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on the FCT Judiciary, Ibe Okwara Osonwa, said consensus arrangements were adopted to maintain unity and avoid the rancour seen in other parties.

He urged parties experiencing internal crises to emulate the Labour Party’s approach to dialogue and stakeholder engagement.

Meanwhile, the party has announced the rescheduling of its 2027 primary elections to a single date.

In a statement on Wednesday, the National Publicity Secretary, Ken Eluma Asogwa, said all primaries for President, Governor, Senate, House of Representatives, and State Houses of Assembly would now hold simultaneously on Saturday, May 30, 2026.

He explained that the decision became necessary because the earlier dates clashed with two major national events.

“The May 27 date coincides with the 2026 Eid el-Kabir celebration, while May 29 marks the third anniversary of the inauguration of elected public office holders across the country,” he said.

Asogwa said the party made the adjustment to enable members, aspirants, supporters, and Nigerians generally to fully observe both occasions, noting that the Labour Party remained people-oriented and responsive.

“The party regrets any inconvenience this adjustment may occasion to aspirants, stakeholders, supporters, and members of the public, and appreciates their understanding and cooperation,” he added.