The Labour Party (LP) faction aligned with former presidential candidate Peter Obi and Abia Governor Alex Otti has announced plans to hold its national convention on February 28, 2026, alongside a nationwide membership revalidation and fresh registration drive targeting 10 million Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The launch of the membership drive took place in Abuja on Wednesday, signalling a major effort to consolidate party structures following years of internal crises, parallel leadership claims, and court disputes that have affected the opposition party since the 2023 polls.
Speaking virtually at the event, Acting National Chairman of the party, Senator Nenadi Usman, emphasised the strategic importance of the exercise.
She explained, “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.”
Usman acknowledged the internal turbulence within the party but expressed confidence that most issues had been resolved. “I am pleased to state that the majority of the issues have been decisively resolved by the courts, while the few remaining matters are still before the judiciary. We remain confident that these too will soon be conclusively settled in the interests of justice and democracy,” she said.
The party’s timetable, disclosed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and acknowledged by its National Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, indicates that the revalidation and new registration exercise will run from December 17, 2025, to January 10, 2026. Ward congresses will commence on January 13, culminating in the national convention on February 28.
Acting National Secretary, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, highlighted the party’s focus on inclusivity, saying, “We know that Nigerians are agitated. They want to be included in everything we are doing. But we cannot rush like any other party that will just go into one room, jump out and present just anything to Nigerians without considering how they will feel. So it’s the inclusivity and the attention to detail that have kept us till now. But we are sure that we will achieve the best result at the end of the day.”
Social activist and party ally, Aisha Yesufu, urged Nigerians to actively participate in politics. “Like the Labour Party slogan, we should aim to always go forward. Backwards should not be a place where we should aim to be. Unfortunately for us in Nigeria, it seems as if that’s the direction we are heading. By not participating in politics, we have allowed the least of us to continue to lead the way,” she said, stressing that political engagement is essential to address national challenges such as poverty and education deficits.
Abia State Deputy Governor, Ikechukwu Emetu, who was appointed chairman of the National Steering Committee for Mobilisation and Membership Revalidation and New Registration, also confirmed INEC’s acknowledgment of the party’s timetable. He described the target as a national call rather than a numerical goal. “Our mission is clear and compelling – to connect and mobilise 10 million Nigerians into the Labour Party. This is not merely a numerical target. It is a national call to action aimed at strengthening democracy and giving voice to the aspirations of our people,” Emetu said.
Members of the newly inaugurated steering committee, including former LP Treasurer Oluchi Opara, Chinedu Eloka, and Kamal Yusuf, were sworn in midway through the programme.
The initiative comes shortly after the Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party launched a similar nationwide membership registration and revalidation exercise, targeting over 20 million Nigerians, highlighting ongoing competition within the party as it prepares for the 2027 general election.
