By Lanre Oloyede
Labour Party’s National Executive Committee, NEC, has announced the schedule for the upcoming congresses slated to hold at the ward, local government and state levels.
According to Obiorah Ifoh, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, the ward congresses will take place from February to March 2025, local government congress from April to May 2025 while the state congresses are scheduled for June to July 2025.
The NEC instructed states that have met registration requirements to notify the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, within the stipulated timeframe.
The LP NEC also approved the establishment of some party communities, including Electoral Reform Committee, Political Education Committee and State Elders Council.
In addition, in its desire to exceed a membership size of 20 million before 2027 general election, the Labour Party, also launched an online membership registration and revalidation application.
Speaking on the need for creation of the Electoral Reform Committee, National Chairman of the Labour Party, Barrister Julius Abure, said, “We note that the Labour Party is a major victim in the 2023 general election and will therefore pursue electoral reform in Nigeria.
“And for us to have credible, proactive leaders that will work in the interest of the people, the processes leading to the selection of these candidates must be credible, fair and transparent.
“This committee will be chaired by Hon. Benedict Etanabene while Hon. Okey Joe will be the co-chair. Dudu Manuga will act as Secretary. The committee has eight weeks to submit its report.”
Speaking on the Political Education Committee, Abure, added, “Before and during the 2023 general election, we had this understanding that leadership alone was the major challenge of this country.
“There is therefore the need to reorient the people and for the people to begin to change their attitude and behaviors. There is also the need for the people to be the catalyst for growth and development.
“We have therefore appointed Rt Hon Ativie Elizabeth, former Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, as the chairman and Mr. Bulus Maisamari as the secretary of the Political Education Committee respectively.