THE Labour Party (LP) has announced May 23, this year, for its presidential primary ahead of next year’s general elections, following the approval of a comprehensive electoral timetable by its National Executive Council (NEC).
The decision, arrived at a statutory NEC meeting on Tuesday, March 17, in the presence of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), is in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act and the Commission’s guidelines.
Senior Special Adviser (Media) to Esther Nanadi Usman, the Interim National Chairman, Ken Eluma Asogwa, in a statement on Wednesday, March 18, said LP will submit its membership register to INEC on April 15, while primaries for governorship, senate, House of Representatives and state houses of Assembly are scheduled for May 15, and the presidential primary on May 23.
The statement added that the NEC also ratified the schedule for its internal congresses, with ward congresses on March 26; local government congresses on March 28; and state congresses on March 31, while the national convention is to hold on April 11.
At the meeting, the NEC reviewed recent developments within the party, including what it described as the “unfortunate invasion” of its national secretariat by suspected hoodlums allegedly linked to some aggrieved members.
Following recommendations by the Peace, Reconciliation and Disciplinary Committee, headed by Salisu Mohammed, NEC invoked its disciplinary powers and approved the suspension of 26 members over alleged anti-party activities, indiscipline and complicity in the disruption, including Hilda Dokubo and Obiora Ifoh, to restore discipline and safeguard its internal democratic processes.
The NEC also approved the expansion of the party’s membership registration through a hybrid system that combines digital registration with manual enrolment in rural communities to improve data management, encouraging wider participation and enhancing transparency.
It resolved that all existing vacancies within party structures would be filled through interim appointments to ensure administrative continuity, and will remain in acting capacity, pending the conduct of substantive congresses, in accordance with the party’s constitution.
NEC urged members to resolve disputes through internal mechanisms, harping on the importance of unity and cohesion as it for next year’s polls.
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