Labour Party Fixes April 28 Convention
The Labour Party has moved to formalise its internal electoral process with the release of chairmen and members of subcommittees tasked with overseeing ward, local government and state congresses nationwide, setting the stage for its 2026 National Convention.
Details of the appointments were contained in a statement issued in Abuja by the Senior Special Adviser (Media) to the Interim National Chairman, Ken Asogwa. The party said the panels would supervise congresses across the states, in line with its previously announced timetable.
According to the schedule, ward congresses are fixed for Thursday, April 23, followed by local government congresses on Friday, April 24, and state congresses on Saturday, April 25. The exercises are expected to culminate in the National Convention slated for Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in Umuahia, Abia State.
Party officials described the subcommittees as comprising experienced members expected to ensure credibility and transparency throughout the process. The appointments cut across all states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Among those named as chairmen are Iheanacho Obioma (Abia), Francis Kim (Adamawa), Ekong Philip Solomon (Akwa Ibom), Chief Tony Asuoha (Anambra), Mustapha Adamu (Bauchi), Beredugo Ebimonyo (Bayelsa), Chief John Ochoga (Benue), Buratai (Borno), Urom P. Iyang (Cross River), Chuks Onitsha (Delta), Chief Mitchell Nwabueze (Ebonyi), Dr. Saliu Edogiawerie (Edo), Usman Mohammed (Niger), Owolabi Ezekiel (Ogun), Charles Afolabi (Ondo) and Balogun Ibrahim (Osun).
Others include Babatunde Yusuf (Oyo), Fakorede Matthew (Ekiti), Dr. David Ogba (Enugu), Adoga S. Knaabayi (Gombe), Chinagorom Nwankpa (Imo), Mustapha Garba (Jigawa), Dr. Emmanuel Barau (Kaduna), Kabiru Said (Kano), Ishaku Izang (Plateau), Amaobi Ogah (Rivers), Prof Muhamuda Muhammad (Sokoto), Jesse Williams (Taraba), Mukhtar Hassan (Yobe) and Haila Ayuba Baja (Zamfara).
The list also features Ismail Bello (Katsina), Muh’d H. Birnin (Kebbi), Hon. Samuel Ajare (Kogi), Bodunde David Adebayo (Kwara), Chukwuemeka Ogbanna (Lagos), Dr. Muttaqa Yushau (Nasarawa) and Comrade Rose Uba-Anarah (FCT).
In a message addressed to the appointees, National Chairman Senator Nenadi Usman emphasised adherence to due process and party values. She stated, “I charge you to carry out your responsibilities with utmost fairness, transparency, and integrity. You should always uphold the Party’s core values of equal opportunity and social justice.”
She added that the credibility of the party must be maintained throughout the congresses, noting that arrangements had been concluded to ensure a smooth convention.
Internal party congresses are a critical phase in Nigeria’s political cycle, serving as the mechanism through which delegates and party executives emerge ahead of national conventions. The Labour Party’s structured timeline and nationwide committee deployment reflect efforts to coordinate a uniform process across all states, although outcomes often depend on compliance with guidelines and the management of intra-party interests.
As preparations advance, attention is expected to focus on turnout, adherence to procedures and the acceptance of outcomes by stakeholders, factors that historically influence post-congress stability within political parties.