The Labour Party has announced 28 February 2026 as the date for its National Convention, a pivotal step in its preparations for the 2027 general elections as it seeks to rebuild its structure following a period of internal disputes.
Senator Nenadi Usman, the party’s Acting National Chairman, formalized the plans by submitting a comprehensive timetable to the Independent National Electoral Commission on 17 November 2025. This schedule outlines the party’s most ambitious organisational effort as Nigeria approaches a new electoral cycle.
The roadmap commences with a nationwide membership drive launched on 17 December 2025, branded “Labour Party Connect 10 Million Nigerians.” According to Senator Darlington Nwokocha, the party’s Interim National Secretary, the initiative aims to register at least ten million new and revalidated members by 10 January 2026.
Following this drive, the party will undertake a series of congresses to rebuild its leadership from the ground up. Ward congresses are set for 13 January 2026, to be followed by Local Government congresses on 17 January, State congresses on 24 January, and Zonal congresses on 31 January. This sequence establishes a bottom-up approach to party reorganisation ahead of the culminating National Convention.
Speaking at the inauguration of the National Steering Committee for the membership drive in Abuja, Senator Usman acknowledged the difficulties the party has faced. “Our party, like many opposition political platforms in Nigeria, has, in recent times, passed through a period of intense challenges and distractions,” she stated. She noted that while courts have resolved many issues, some matters remain before the judiciary.
The restructuring arrives at a critical moment for Nigerian opposition politics. The Labour Party gained substantial momentum during the 2023 general elections but has since been challenged by internal leadership disputes. This reorganisation is therefore viewed as essential for its political survival and capacity to present itself as a viable alternative to the dominant All Progressives Congress and People’s Democratic Party.
Senator Usman emphasized that expanding the membership base has been a foremost priority, expressing confidence that the party would “not only recover lost ground but emerge stronger, more united, and better prepared for the task ahead.” She framed the exercise as a necessary strategic repositioning for the coming election season.
The party’s effort has reportedly received endorsements from key stakeholders, including former presidential candidate Peter Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti. This support signals a degree of unifying resolve within the party’s leadership as it approaches the convention.
Senator Nwokocha, while swearing in the national steering committee, charged its members with impartiality, underscoring the importance of transparency in the critical reorganisation process. The committee will oversee the registration exercise across all of Nigeria’s states and the Federal Capital Territory.