Labour Party convention to be held April 28 in Umuahia – National Chairman

By John Alechenu

National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Senator Nenadi Usman, has announced that the long-awaited National Convention of the party will now hold on April 28th, 2026.

She said this while featuring on an Arise Television personality programme, in Abuja, on Wednesday.

The party chairman explained that the earlier decision to postpone the event was to give room
for reconciliation efforts to take root and to allow Nigerians willing to join the party to do so.

According to her, the party under her supervision and the leadership of Governor Alex Otti was determined to provide a conducive atmosphere for capable leaders to emerge to take Nigeria to the next level.

She further appealed to aggrieved party members to sheath their swords, return to the fold and join in the struggle to address Nigeria’s leadership deficit.

Usman said, “Our strength is in coming back together, making peace among ourselves. We are extending the olive branch to those who are aggrieved to please come back. Let’s work together and build our party.”

“We had to postpone it for about 20-something days. We are starting on the 23rd of April by the grace of God, and our national convention is expected to be on the 28th of April in Umuahia.”

While extending the olive branch to the former National Chairman, Julius Abure, his supporters and other members who had left the party, she said, “We are still inviting them to come. Let’s sit down at the table and discuss. Even when nations go to war, at the end, they still come back to the table. It’s not about you or me, it’s about the party.”

While explaining the decision of the party to zone the 2027 Presidential ticket to the South, the party Chairman said, “It’s more about having peace in the nation. We don’t want to pitch the country into North versus South. When it’s the turn of the South, let them produce the president.

“Yes, we northerners are more in number… but for us to live together as Nigerians, we must ensure equal opportunity for everyone to lead.

“The Labour Party is built on equal opportunity and social justice. If we want to walk the talk, we must reflect that.”

Speaking about the special place of the Abia State Governor within the party structure, she said, “Governor Otti is the leader of the party at the moment. There is always only one leader at any particular time.”

Usman also dismissed speculations that the party already had a pre-determined presidential candidate, noting that all qualified members of the party were free to contest for positions as well as its tickets.

“We don’t have any preferred candidates. Everybody is invited to come and run.”
“It’s going to be direct primaries. Whoever the people choose will get the ticket.” She added.

The former finance minister noted that the party was determined now more than ever before to get it right by ensuring that internal democracy attains its prime position.

This, she said, was essential because for any party to survive, internal democracy must be given its pride of place.

She reiterated the party’s position about an anti-Tinubu coalition. She said, “We are not negotiating any coalition with anyone at the moment. The party is not weak. Maybe at par with where we were in 2023.

“In 2023, the party looked strong from outside, but internally it was weak. We didn’t have polling unit agents in about 60% of polling units.

“Now, externally we may look weak, but internally we are getting stronger. If you don’t have an agent at the polling unit, anything transmitted electronically is not to your advantage.

“It could be garbage in, garbage out. You don’t know what was signed or recorded.”

Speaking about the benefit of direct primaries in the choice of candidates to fly the party’s flag, Usman said, “Direct primaries will give more women access. Delegates’ systems favour the highest bidder, and most women don’t have that kind of money.

“Women have goodwill in communities. When it’s direct, people will come out and queue behind them. We have members with deep pockets. When the time comes, they are willing to support.”

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