Labour Party NEC Approves 90-Day Convention Roadmap, Ends Abure Tenure with New Leadership Structure
Byline: Zainab Uzoma | IDNN Political Desk
In a sweeping move to reset its internal structure, the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Labour Party (LP) has adopted a new governance framework to reposition the party following the Supreme Court ruling of April 4, 2025, which nullified Julius Abure’s tenure as National Chairman.
The NEC, composed of nine statutory members, met on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at Top Rank Hotel, Gimbiya Street, Abuja, and released a communique outlining strategic resolutions—including plans to conduct an All-Inclusive National Convention within 90 days, immediate deployment of a digital membership system, and the official relocation of the party’s national secretariat.
“The NEC in session has unanimously resolved to transition Labour Party governance to a National Caretaker Committee (NCC) under the leadership of Senator Esther Nenadi Usman,” the communique stated.
Post-Abure Era Begins as NEC Moves to Enforce Supreme Court Verdict
The decisions follow the Supreme Court’s dismissal of previous rulings by the FCT High Court and Appeal Court, which had controversially upheld Abure’s chairmanship. The court held that those rulings lacked jurisdiction, effectively terminating the tenure of the 2019-elected National Working Committee (NWC), which expired on June 8, 2024.
“This reset is in line with the consent judgment terms of April 2022 brokered by INEC and reaffirmed by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC),” NEC noted.
New Secretariat, Mass Mobilization, and Digital Party Membership
NEC approved the immediate opening of a new National Secretariat in Abuja while directing INEC to enforce the closure of the former location at No. 2 IBM Haruna Street, Utako.
Within the next 30 days, the party will:
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Launch a nationwide digital membership registration drive to onboard 10 million new members.
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Roll out downloadable membership cards with unique IDs and hardcopy issuance.
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Conduct a revalidation exercise for existing members.
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Implement a ₦1,200 annual membership dues policy.
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Register and issue certificates for support groups with unique identification numbers.
Timeline to Convention
The NEC’s roadmap toward the 2025 National Convention includes:
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Ward Congresses
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Local Government Congresses
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State Congresses
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Delegate Elections
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Culminating in the All-Inclusive and Expansive National Convention
Additionally, standing and ad-hoc committees will be established to steer the congresses and ensure broad-based participation across all regions and blocs of the party.
Who Was in Attendance?
Key figures present or represented at the NEC meeting included:
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Dr. Alex Otti, Governor of Abia State (represented)
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Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, Deputy Governor of Abia State (represented)
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Comrade Joe Ajaero, NLC President
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Barr. Emmanuel Ugboaja, NLC General Secretary
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Senator Esther Nenadi Usman, now officially confirmed as LP National Chairman
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Comrade S.O.Z. Ejiofor, BoT Chairman
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TUC officials and Women Commissions
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Mr. Peter Obi, 2023 Presidential Candidate of Labour Party (represented)