The leadership of the Senator Nenadi Usman-led interim National Working Committee (INWC) has officially inaugurated a 15-man steering committee to ensure it surpasses the 2023 presidential election performance.
The committee has also been charged to restore the credibility of the party, with a mandate to mobilise over ten million members through new registrations and a membership revalidation exercise.
Senator Usman gave the charge on Wednesday in Abuja during the inauguration ceremony of the committee, with a resolve to bridge the gap of non-inclusivity and the perceived one-party system in Nigeria.
“As we are all aware, our party, like many opposition political platforms in Nigeria, has, in recent times, passed through a period of intense challenges and distractions. I am pleased to state that the majority of these issues have been decisively resolved by the courts, while the few remaining matters are still before the judiciary. We remain confident that they, too, will soon be conclusively settled in the interest of justice and democracy.
“As we prepare to enter the election season next year, the Labour Party considers it both necessary and strategic to reposition, reorganise, and strengthen itself for the bigger responsibilities and opportunities that lie ahead. It is in furtherance of this objective that we are formally launching this membership revalidation and registration exercise today.”
Senator Nenadi highlighted that since the assumption of this leadership, expanding and consolidating the membership base of the party has remained one of her foremost priorities.
But unfortunately, she pointed out that the challenges earlier referenced delayed the timely commencement of the exercise.
“However, with the launch today and the newly approved timetable, I am confident that we will not only recover lost ground but also emerge stronger, more united, and better prepared for the task ahead.
“I therefore call on all existing members of our great party to take full advantage of this exercise to revalidate their membership. I also warmly invite all Nigerians of goodwill, especially those who believe in good governance, social justice, accountability, and people-oriented leadership, to seize this opportunity to register and formally become members of the Labour Party.
“As clearly outlined in the schedule of activities, this exercise will run from now through to 20th January, 2026, across all wards, LGAs, and states of the Federation.”
She reassured Nigerians that the Labour Party remains steadfast in its commitment to serving as a credible, people-driven political alternative, while urging them to continue to place their hope and confidence in the Labour Party as the vehicle for rescuing the nation from the shackles of poor leadership and restoring dignity, opportunity, and prosperity to the Nigerian people.
National Secretary of the Labour Party, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, while welcoming party faithful during the elaborate ceremony, detailed that the party had set up the 15-man committee under the chairmanship of the Abia State Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, in readiness for membership revalidation, local government and state congresses, and the national elections under the supervision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Senator Nwokocha, who read a letter notifying INEC of the party’s revalidation exercise, said accordingly that the new members registration/revalidation exercises will take place from 16 December to 10 January, while the ward congress will be held on 13 January 2026, the local government congress on 17 January, and the state congress on 24 January.
He announced that the zonal congress will also be scheduled for 31 January, while the national convention comes up on 28 February.
Nwokocha remarked that the above was submitted for the records of the commission as an official communication of the Labour Party, inviting it to monitor congresses and the national convention.
The Deputy Governor of Abia State and Chairman of the Steering Committee, Engineer Ikechukwu Emetu, shortly after the inauguration of the committee, promised to work diligently to ensure the party’s bounce back to its original glory. He stressed that he was deeply honoured to be called to serve the great party as the steering committee chairman while promising unwavering commitment to duty. The committee’s mission is compelling to connect and mobilise over 10 million Nigerians for the Labour Party in preparation for the 2027 general elections.
“This is not a mere numerical target; it is a national call to action aimed at strengthening democracy and giving voice to the aspirations of our people. This moment is not just for our party but for Nigerians in general.”
He said the committee is committed to building a Labour Party that is inclusive, transparent, and responsive to the aspirations of all Nigerians, regardless of background or vocation.
He said that through the work of the committee, it will engage citizens throughout the length and breadth of Nigeria.
“We will listen attentively to their concerns and inspire confidence and work collectively to build a better and more prosperous Nigeria. This initiative marks a renewed focus in mobilisation and reawakening of party faithful and defining political participation at every level.”
As chairman of the committee, he pledged to work closely with the party leadership to ensure that membership cards are accessible to all members who are willing to join the party to advance the mandate and to take it beyond the electoral circle.
He, however, called on party stakeholders, supporters, and well-wishers to lend their full support to the strategic initiative.
“No political party can thrive without membership commitments, financial assistance, and the organisation of its stakeholders. Nigerians are eager for a credible alternative, and many are coming over to the Labour Party because of its people-oriented policies. The party, however, enjoined all party faithful for a grassroots mobilisation to strengthen the party for credible democracy,” he appealed.
