Abia State Governor Alex Otti has said the Labour Party (LP) has formally informed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of its plans to hold congresses and a national convention as part of efforts to reposition the party and strengthen internal unity.
Otti disclosed this on Saturday during a press briefing, where he addressed issues arising from recent engagements and resolutions reached by party stakeholders. He noted that preparations were already underway ahead of the congresses scheduled for March.
According to the governor, the party has also begun arrangements to revalidate existing members and register new ones, describing the exercise as a crucial step before the congresses and the national convention.
He said INEC had received official notification and confirmed that a committee had been set up to oversee the revalidation and registration process, which would commence soon.
Governor Otti expressed regret over the departure of the party’s former leader and presidential candidate, Peter Obi, but wished him well in his future political pursuits. He acknowledged that the party had lost some members to defections, including a few National Assembly members, but stressed that the LP remained focused on rebuilding and emerging stronger.
The governor also revealed that the party was reaching out to its former National Chairman, Julius Abure, urging him to work with other stakeholders to strengthen the party rather than pursue prolonged legal battles.
He further disclosed that the Labour Party would not participate in the forthcoming Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections in February, citing the limited timeframe as the reason.
Otti clarified that the party had no plans to join any political coalition, emphasising that its priority remained internal consolidation and institutional rebuilding.
Other party leaders present at the meeting included the LP Caretaker Committee Chairman, Senator Nenadi Usman, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, and representatives of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria and the Nigeria Labour Congress.
The Labour Party rose to national prominence during the 2023 general elections, particularly through its strong performance in the presidential race. However, the party has since faced leadership disputes, court cases, and defections that have affected its internal stability.