Dare Babalola
The Labour Party has set May 23 for its presidential primary, according to a statement by Ken Asogwa, Senior Special Adviser (Media) to the Interim National Chairman, issued on Wednesday in Abuja.
Asogwa said the National Executive Council (NEC) of the party ratified this as part of the approved timetable for the conduct of the party’s primary elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He said that the timetable was fixed at a statutory NEC meeting observed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Asogwa said the party, in compliance with the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines, also approved April 15 for submission of the membership register to the INEC.
He also said that the governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly primaries would be held on May 15.
Asogwa added that NEC ratified the actions of the party’s national leadership regarding the conduct of ward, local government and state congresses on March 26, March 28 and March 31, respectively.
According to him, the national convention has been scheduled for April 11.
“The council, which remains the highest decision-making organ of the party after the national convention, reviewed recent developments within the party.
“This included the recent unfortunate invasion of the party secretariat by hoodlums allegedly sponsored by certain rogue elements,” he said.
He said that the board of trustees (BOT), following a review of a report and recommendations of the peace, reconciliation and disciplinary committee, chaired by Salisu Mohammed (BOT Secretary), suspended some members.
The SSA said that the affected members were suspended for alleged acts of indiscipline, anti-party activities and complicity in the desecration of the party’s national secretariat:
“NEC further ratified and approved the ongoing expansion of the party’s membership register through a hybrid approach – digital membership registration (e-registration) – alongside manual registration in rural communities.
“This initiative is aimed at modernising the party’s database, strengthening participatory democracy and enhancing transparency and efficiency in party administration, in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026,” he said.
The media aide further stated that the Labour Party’s NEC resolved that existing vacancies within party structures should be filled through the appointment of interim leadership to ensure continuity in administration.
“The national leadership has been duly empowered to make such appointments, which will remain in an acting capacity pending the conduct of substantive congresses in accordance with the party constitution and approved timetable.
“The council also urged members to utilise the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms to address grievances, thereby promoting unity and minimising internal conflicts. Finally, NEC welcomed the recent judgement of the Federal High Court affirming the leadership of Senator Nenadi Usman as interim national chairman.
“The council passed a vote of confidence in her leadership, the Interim National Working Committee, the BOT, the leadership of the NLC, the leadership of the TUC and the leadership of Governor Alex Otti,” he said.
Asogwa commended the INEC for its prompt compliance with the court pronouncement.
