Labour Party rejects coalition plot, ratifies Usman as interim chair

From Okwe Obi, Abuja

Labour Party (LP), on Friday, ratified former Minister of Finance, Nenadi Usman, as its Interim National Chairman, while also dismissing speculation that it plans to join a political coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The decision was reached at the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja. The meeting, convened by statutory NEC members, according to the party, followed the April 4, 2025 Supreme Court judgment, which it said affirmed the expiration of Julius Abure’s tenure and validated Usman’s position as caretaker leader. The high-level meeting has in attendance Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, his deputy, Ikechukwu Emetu; National President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, and Chairman of the BoT Sylvester Ejiofor, who sent a representative.

According to a communiqué read after the meeting, Usman will steer the party alongside Senator Darlington Nwokocha, the immediate-past Senate Minority Deputy Leader, who was also ratified as Interim National Secretary, pending the conduct of congresses and a national convention to elect substantive officers.

Prominent leaders and stakeholders of the Labour Party, including Otti and his deputy, Ikechukwu Emetu, jointly signed the communiqué. Also endorsing the resolutions were Chief S.O.Z. Ejiofor, Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), alongside Alhaji Salisu Mohammed, Secretary of the BoT.

From the organised labour front, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, appended his signature, alongside Comrade Deborah Yusuf, the NLC National Woman Leader; Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, the NLC General Secretary; Comrade N.A. Toro, Secretary of the Trade Union Congress (TUC); and Comrade Festus Osifo, President of the TUC.

The communiqué was further endorsed by the newly ratified party leadership, with Senator Nenadi Usman, Interim National Chairman, and Senator Darlington Nwokocha, Interim National Secretary, signing on behalf of the Interim National Working Committee (INWC).

Speaking at the NEC meeting on Friday, Otti, who addressed stakeholders at the session, said the interim leadership was necessary to lay a proper foundation for rebuilding the party.

He called on the two factional leaders of the Labour Party, Julius Abure and Lamidi Apapa, along with other disgruntled members, to tender a formal apology as a condition for their reintegration into the party.