From Idu Jude, Abuja
Preparatory to 2027 general election, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Labour party (LP) has launched an online membership revalidation registration application to recruit and exceed over 20 million membership.
The party also announced the release of its timetable for the congresses, starting with the ward up to state levels which will commence immediately with membership revalidation in July 2025.
It also approved the restructuring of the Directorate of Mobilisation and Integration while it created the Directorate of International and Diaspora Affairs.
National Publicity Secretary of the party, Obiora Ifoh, in a statement, yesterday, in Abuja, said these were the outcome of the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held virtually on Saturday.
A communiqué issued at the end of the NEC meeting read: “NEC approves there is need to expand the membership of the party; all members are expected to revalidate their membership while new members are to register online via https://ee.kobotoolbox.org/x/up9GnIuu.
“The first phase of this exercise commences with immediate effect and will end on January 31, 2025. This online registration will be used to update the ward register, ahead of the congresses.
“Ward congresses will commence between February and March 2025. Every interested member of the party aspiring to hold offices at the ward level should, by this information, commence the necessary preparations.
“Article 13:11 of the 2024 Constitution, as amended, records 17 offices to be contested at each ward to include: chairman, two vice-chairman (one male and one female), secretary, assistant secretary and treasurer.
“Others are financial secretary, publicity secretary, legal adviser, auditor, woman leader, youth leader and five ex-officio members.”
Ifoh said local government congress would commence between April and May 2025, even as he urged every interested member aspiring to hold offices at the local government level to commence necessary preparations.
He listed the 21 offices to be contested at each local government area to include: chairman, four vice chairman, secretary, three assistant secretary, treasurer, financial secretary, publicity secretary, legal adviser, auditor, woman leader, youth leader and five ex-officio members. Ifoh further stated that the state congress would hold between June and July 2025, urging every interested member of the party aspiring to hold offices at the state level to commence preparations.
According to him, 29 offices are to be contested at the state level, including chairman, six deputy chairman, secretary, two assistant secretary, treasurer and financial secretary.
Others are publicity secretary, organising secretary, legal adviser, auditor, woman leader, three assistant women leaders, youth leader, three assistant youth leaders and five ex-officio members.
The national publicity secretary said mandatory notification to the Independent National Electoral Commission would be issued on the conduct of congresses in the states which had complied with the basic requirements within the time frame, as stipulated.
He said NEC had also approved the restructuring of the Directorate of Mobilisation and Integration, applauding the directorate for the ‘instant success’ it achieved in less than six months after its inauguration.
“NEC urged the directorate, under the leadership of Mercel Ngogbehei, to intensify efforts in opening up the party to all cadres of the Nigerian populace to ensure massive membership.
“It also approved the creation of the Directorate of International and Diaspora Affairs, to be headed by Eddie Oparaoji, while Aju Elumelu is appointed as the secretary of the directorate.
“Beside the task of managing the millions of party members in the diaspora, they must come up with modalities on how they will participate actively in various party congresses, including the ward congresses,” the communiqué said.
It also directed that the various committees, including Electoral Reform Committee, Political Education Committee and State Elders’ Council be inaugurated with immediate effect.
Ifoh said the National Chairman of LP, Julius Abure, had directed the processes leading to the selection of candidates must be credible, fair and transparent to have credible, proactive leaders who would work for the interest of the people.