Labour convention re-elects Nenadi Usman as party chairman

From Okey Sampson, Umuahia

The Labour Party (LP) has held its 2026 national convention in Umuahia, Abia State, through a consensus method, resulting in the re-election of Dr Esther Nenadi Usman as its substantive national chairman. Before her election, Usman served as the national chairman of the party’s caretaker committee.

At the convention, Chief Iheanacho Obioma was elected the national secretary of the party, replacing Senator Darlington Nwakocha. Until his election, Obioma served as the political adviser to Governor Alex Otti.

A further 32 national officers of the party were also elected during the convention.

In her acceptance speech, Dr Usman thanked party members for electing her as the substantive national chairman of the party.

Usman noted that the process of building the party, especially with the adoption of a new constitution, was not easy, but she promised to excel.

“With the ratification of a new constitution for the party, the job is not going to be easy, but we are going to excel.

“We will work cooperatively to develop the party and make it one to be reckoned with in the country.”

She particularly thanked the leader of the party and Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti, for the confidence he reposed in her and promised not to fail.

Giving an overview of the party’s caretaker committee earlier, Dr Usman said, “My committee emerged out of a vacuum in the leadership of the party. Despite clear judgments of courts up to the Supreme Court, those against the survival of the party never gave up.

“Even when INEC recognised our leadership, the same people are still not yielding.

“It was after the judicial confirmation of our leadership that preparations for the Convention commenced. Before then, we had conducted LG and state congresses.”

In his speech, Governor Otti expressed joy that the convention was devoid of rancour and disagreement.

Otti said the fact that all parts of the country were represented in the 34-member new executive was an indication that the Labour Party is truly a national party.

He noted that it was a matter of pride that men and women who “know their onions” were elected at the convention.

Otti advised the new executive to ensure they reposition the party and embark on reconciliation moves to bring back those who left for various reasons while also engaging in a registration drive.

The governor described the national chairman as a woman of integrity, transparency, and accountability and promised to give the new executive 100 per cent support to ensure their success.