Fresh Start For Labour Party As Nenadi Usman Emerges National Chairman

Former Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Labour Party, Senator Nenadi Usman, has emerged as the party’s new National Chairman with Hon Acho Obioma as National Secretary.

Senator Usman alongside a 34 member National Working Committee (NWC) were on Tuesday, elected at the party’s 2026 Elective National Convention, held at the International Conference Centre in Umuahia, Abia State.

The emergence of the new national officers followed their adoption by delegates through a consensus and affirmation method, after a formal motion was passed to dissolve the party’s Caretaker/Interim National Working Committee.

The motion, titled “Motion for the Dissolution of the Caretaker/Interim National Working Committee to Create Vacancies for the Election of Substantive National Officers, Pursuant to Article 13 of the Party’s Constitution and Section 223(2)(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended)”, was moved by the former Interim National Secretary of the party, Senator Darlington Nwokocha and seconded by Pastor Martina Umana.

In his speech, Governor Alex Otti who commended the leadership of the Labour Party for successfully organising the peaceful and inclusive convention, congratulated the newly elected 34-member NWC, noting that their emergence reflected national inclusiveness and unity across all geopolitical zones.

Governor Otti urged the new national leaders to prioritise reconciliation, reintegrate aggrieved members and expand the party’s base through active engagement and electronic membership registration.

“I want to congratulate all of you for emerging as leaders of this party in an arrangement devoid of rancour, devoid of problems, devoid of disagreements. 

“If you took another look at the list, you will find that all the parts of Nigeria I represented, from the north-west, through the north-east, to the north-central, south-west, south-south, and south-east. That clearly shows that the party is a national party.

“So your work has just begun, and it’s cut out for you. And I’m happy that we elected people who understand what is expected of them. The first job that you need to do is what we call reconciliation and integration of as many people as possible”, he said.

The Governor emphasised that politics is a game of numbers, stressing that rebuilding trust among aggrieved members would be critical to the party’s success adding that engagement and a sense of recognition could go a long way in resolving many disputes.

Governor Otti who charged the new leadership of the party to organise credible and transparent primaries across all levels, from state assemblies to the presidency, thanked the Independent Electoral Commission, (INEC) for effectively monitoring the process.

He expressed confidence in the capacity of the Nenadi Usman led leadership of the party, describing her as “a woman of integrity” with extensive public service experience and assured party members that her leadership would deliver success with collective support.

In her acceptance speech, the newly elected National Chairman of the Labour Party, Sen Nenadi Usman, thanked party members for their confidence and pledged not to betray the trust reposed in her team.

She called for unity and cooperation among party members, stressing that building the party requires collective effort by all stakeholders and assured that inclusive participation would guide her leadership as the party prepares for future political contests.

Presenting the State of affairs and annual report of the Labour party earlier, the former Interim National Secretary of the party, Sen. Darlington Nwokocha, said that the party’s transitional leadership stabilised its structures and repositioned it for future electoral success after overcoming a prolonged leadership and constitutional crisis.

Sen. Nwokocha noted that the establishment of the Caretaker National Working Committee in September 2024 helped to fill a leadership vacuum, restore order and rebuild internal systems.

He highlighted judicial victories recorded by the party, including favourable rulings by the Supreme Court in April 2025, as well as subsequent decisions of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal in April 2026, which he said restored legality, legitimacy and institutional authority to the party.

Also, Chairman of the Convention Planning Committee, Hon Ginger Onwusibe, described the national convention in Umuahia as a critical moment for consolidating internal democracy and strengthening the party’s national relevance.

He noted that the convention followed a structured and credible process, including the successful conduct of ward, local government and state congresses nationwide.

In his remark, the President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr Festus Osifo, represented by Dr Nuhu Toro, said that the convention marks a defining moment for both the party and Nigeria’s struggle for social and economic justice.

He highlighted the harsh realities facing Nigerian workers, including rising inflation and declining purchasing power and called for a disciplined, ideologically driven political platform.

Similarly, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero, represented by Mr Stephen Okoro, described the gathering as a critical point in the fight for economic liberation.

He acknowledged internal challenges but urged members to remain steadfast, noting that success in 2027 would depend on organisation, mobilisation, and voter education.

Also speaking, Acting Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees, Mr Lawson Osagie, called on incoming leaders to prioritise unity and institutional stability.

Osagie, who described the event as a milestone in his two decades in the party, urged the new leadership to “put the house in order” and build a cohesive structure capable of sustaining long-term progress.

Other members of the newly elected Labor party NWC include; Salisu Mohammed -Deputy National Chairman Representing (NLC),Nike Oriola, Deputy National Chairman and Quadri Olaeye -Deputy National Chairman Representing TUC.

Others are Ishmael Onuoha National Vice Chairman- South East,Dr Kingsley Okundaye -National Vice Chairman -South South,Comrade Biodun Olamosu -National Vice Chairman -South West,Peter Ameh-National Vice Chairman -North Central,Sale Lawan -National Vice Chairman -North East and Comrade Ibrahim Mahmoud Umar -National Vice Chairman-North West

The rest are Amb.Lewis Abah -Deputy National Secretary 1 , Chris Antigha Uyot, Deputy National Secretary 2, Splendour Eze Oko -Deputy National Secretary 3,Hamisu Santuraki -National Treasurer, Comrade Anslem Eragbe -National Financial Secretary, Ken Eluma Asogwa -National Publicity Secretary and Mrs Oluchi Opara-National Organizing Secretary.

Other members of The members of the National working committee are Taiwo Mary Ajayi -National Legal Adviser,Sule Garba -National Auditor,Hilda Dokubo -National Woman Leader,Chinelo Ofoche -National Deputy Woman Leader -South East,

Stephanie Ebitare Ekpebulu -Deputy National Women Leader -South South, Susan Ojo -Deputy National Woman Leader -South West, Sarah Samuel Bago -Deputy National Woman Leader -North Central,Hajia Bintu Konto -Deputy National Woman Leader -North East and Binta Ma’aruf -Deputy National Woman Leader -North West.

The rest includes, Collins Chimaobi Opara -National Youth Leader,Mazi Excel Onwaneri -Assistant National Youth Leader -South East,Dr Gloria Georgeomunu -Assistant National Youth Leader -South South, Akinpelumi Olusegun Olasubomi -Assistant National Youth Leader -South West,Dr Graham Gande -Assistant National Youth Leader-North Central,Usman Umar-Assistant National Youth Leader-North East and Aminu Abdullazzi -Assistant National Youth Leader -North West.

The 2026 Elective National Convention of the Labour Party with the theme; “Labour Party Rising: United for victory”, featured the presentation of certificate of return to all the elected officials of the party.