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From Sola Ojo, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected the decision by the caretaker committee of the Labour Party, led by Nenadi Usman, to dissolve the party’s ward, local government and state executives across the country.
In a letter dated February 16, 2026, and signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Dr Bose Oriaran-Anthony, INEC stated that the caretaker committee lacked the authority to dissolve the executives and replace them with interim structures.
The leaked letter, referenced INEC/DEPM/LP/283/IV/36 and addressed to the caretaker chairman, explained that the action taken by the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) did not comply with statutory requirements.
According to the commission, the meeting where the decision was taken was not properly communicated to it as required by law.
“The commission regrets to inform you that the dissolution of State, Local Government and Ward Executives of your party in all the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory by the National Executive Council without giving the statutory notice of the meeting to the commission and without the authority to act in your party constitution cannot be acceded to,” the letter stated.
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The development is the latest twist in the ongoing leadership crisis within the Labour Party between supporters of the caretaker committee led by Usman and loyalists of the party’s national chairman, Julius Abure.
The party had conducted ward, local government and state congresses between December 2 and 6, 2025, under the supervision of INEC.
However, the congress did not hold in Abia State following a court order restraining the exercise pending the determination of a suit involving the state leadership of the party.
The crisis in the party dates back to September 2024, following a stakeholders’ meeting involving the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, which deepened divisions within the party leadership.
Meanwhile, efforts to reach Usman and the Secretary of the caretaker committee, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, for comments were unsuccessful as of press time.
Some party stakeholders who spoke in confidence, however, called for a peaceful resolution of the crisis, warning that the lingering dispute could weaken the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
