Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has said the Labour Party (LP) has formally notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of its plans to hold congresses and a national convention as part of ongoing efforts to reposition the party and strengthen internal unity.
Otti made the disclosure on Saturday during a press briefing while addressing issues arising from recent engagements and resolutions reached by party stakeholders. He said preparations are already underway for the congresses, which are scheduled to hold in March.
According to the governor, the party has also begun arrangements for the revalidation of existing members and the registration of new ones, describing the exercise as a critical step ahead of the congresses and national convention.
“INEC has been notified that very soon the congresses will take place, and the national convention will also hold. A committee has been set up for the revalidation of members and the registration of new members, and very soon that process will commence,” Otti said.
The governor expressed regret over the exit of the party’s former leader and presidential candidate, Peter Obi, while wishing him well in his future political pursuits.
“We regret the exit of the former leader of the party and former presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi. While we regret it, I wish him well,” he said.
Otti acknowledged that the party has lost some members to defections, including lawmakers at the National Assembly, but stressed that the Labour Party remains focused on rebuilding and emerging stronger.
He also revealed that the party is reaching out to its former National Chairman, Julius Abure, urging him to work with other stakeholders to strengthen the party rather than engage in prolonged legal battles.
As part of its resolutions, Otti disclosed that the Labour Party would not participate in the forthcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections scheduled for February, citing the limited timeframe as the reason.
“The party regrets that it will not be able to participate in the upcoming FCT local council elections due to the tight schedule,” he said.
The governor further clarified that the Labour Party has no plans to enter into any political coalition, noting that its current focus is on internal consolidation and institutional rebuilding.
Other key party figures present at the meeting included the Chairman of the LP Caretaker Committee, Senator Nenadi Usman; Senator Darlington Nwokocha; and representatives of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
The Labour Party rose to national prominence during the 2023 general elections following its strong performance, particularly in the presidential contest. However, the party has since faced leadership disputes, court cases and defections that have affected its internal stability.
