The Labour Party (LP) has held its National Elective Convention and elected the immediate past National Caretaker Committee Chairman, Senator Nenadi Esther Usman as National Chairman, Hon. Iheanacho Obioma as National Secretary and other 32 officials into various National offices
Addressing the delegates on Tuesday, 28th April 2026, after the consensus election and inauguration of the New National officers held at the International Conference Centre, Ogurube Layout, Umuahia, the Abia State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti congratulated the officers on their emergence, and expressed joy over the rancour-free election, saying that it is a testament of the unity in the party.
The Governor charged them to reach out to aggrieved members and reconcile them, enjoining those to be reached out to, to accept the olive branch of the party to move the party forward.
“The first job that we need to do is what we call a reconciliation, and the integration of as many people as possible.
“Nobody should be left behind and in that spirit, I urge the newly elected National officials of the National Working Committee to go on a reconciliation ride, and bring everybody together.
“So, please call as many of our members as possible. This is a game of numbers. So, we want as many people as possible.
“And for those that we are going to be reaching out to in the next few days, also find it in your heart to be open,” Gov. Otti stated.
Governor Otti further tasked the newly elected and inaugurated National Working Committee of the party on the drive for the ongoing online electronic party registration and advised them to ensure that the forthcoming party primary elections should be rancour free just like the convention.
“The next job that you have, set up for you is the online electronic registration of members. The portal is still open.
“I’m aware of the challenges of the NIN and as much as possible, let’s also reach out to NIMC and get them to register people so that they can register on the electronic portal.
“Very soon, primaries will be conducted across the constituencies. It is also part of your job to ensure that we have smooth primaries from the State constituencies, all the way through the National Assembly, and of course, governorship and presidential.
“I expect that our primaries will be free and fair. After that, campaigns will set in, and after campaigns, elections. So, you can see that you have a lot of work to do,” Gov. Otti stated.
The State Chief Executive thanked the members of the board of trustees, the National Executive Council of the party, the members of the Interim National Working Committee who have been there before the elective convention for their service and commitment.
The Governor, who thanked the INEC officials for coming to observe proceedings of the convention said that the Labour Party is lucky to have Senator Nenadi Usman as the National Chairman, describing her as a square peg in a square hole, “We have worked close to two years, and she’s been so transparent and accountable.
“So, I want to assure you that we didn’t make a mistake. I’m very proud of her. And I know that you are proud of her too,” Gov. Otti stated.
While presenting the annual report of the party, the outgoing Caretaker Committee Secretary, Senator Darlington Nwokocha described the elective convention as historic, saying that, it marks the end of the most turbulent period of the party.
Senator Darlington said that the convention which has its theme as “Labour Party, Rising for Victory”, shows that the party stands on the threshold of conducting the most united, rancour free convention and called on the members to build a strong structure from ward to the National level.
In their goodwill messages, the acting Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Labour Party, Veteran Comrade (Barr.) Lawson Osagie and Trade Union Congress the (TUC) representative, Engr. Nuhu Toro while appreciating the works of Governor Otti and the outgoing Caretaker Committee, stressed on the need for the new National Working Committee to ensure reconciliation and make the party great again.
Earlier, the Chairman, 2026
National Convention and member representing Isialangwa North and South Federal Constituency, Hon. Ginger Onwusibe expressed gratitude to the Governor and the entire leadership of the Labour Party and said that the convention is a clear demonstration that the Governor is committed to unity and cohesion of the party .
Hon. Ginger further noted that the convention is in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, INEC Guidelines and the Labour Party’s constitution and urged all delegates to conduct themselves with high sense of responsibility and know that the strength of the party lies in their shared values.
In her acceptance speech, the new National Chairman of the Labour Party, Senator Nenadi Esther Usman thanked the National leader of the party, Governor Alex Otti for his support and all the delegates for their confidence in her.
She noted that the leadership of the party is not a one man’s business, noting that she would need the support of all and assured that she would not let them down .
In a vote of thanks, on behalf of other elected officials, the new National Secretary of the party, Hon. Iheanacho Obioma appreciated the Governor for his exemplary leadership and the entire delegates and all aspirants, emphasising that, there are no winners nor losers in the elective convention, and pledged to work together as a team to build the party.
The convention, which featured the adoption and ratification of various motions, including the legitimacy of the constitution of the National Caretaker Committee of the party led by Senator Nenadi Esther Usman, and other decisions and actions of the Caretaker Committee as well as declaring null and void, the purported illegal 2024 Nnewi Convention organized by the former leadership of the party, was witnessed by a team of INEC observers led by Prof. Sani Adams, attracted many bigwigs of the party across the Federation.
Ctz. UKOHA, NJOKU UKOHA
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State.
April 28th, 2026.
