LP Fixes May 23 For Presidential Primary

The Labour Party has approved its timetable for primary elections ahead of the 2027 general election, setting May 23, 2026 for its presidential primary.

This decision was taken at a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on March 17, 2026, in compliance with the Electoral Act and guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the National Chairman of the Labour party, Ken Eluma in Abuja.

According to the statement, with the approved schedule the party will submit its membership register to INEC by April 15, 2026, while the governorship, National Assembly and State Assembly primaries are fixed for May 15, 2026.

The statement says the NEC also endorses a hybrid membership registration system combining digital and manual processes, aimed at improving data management, expanding participation, and strengthening internal democracy, particularly in rural communities.

It further ratified the timetable for ward, local government and state congresses later in March, as well as a national convention scheduled for April 11, 2026, describing these steps as critical to institutional stability and party restructuring.

According to the statement, in addressing internal discipline, NEC approved the suspension of several members over alleged anti-party activities and involvement in the disruption of the party’s national secretariat, signaling a stricter enforcement of party rules and accountability mechanisms.

The statement says the NEC empowers the party’s leadership to fill vacant positions with interim appointments pending the conduct of substantive congresses.

It also emphasizes the use of internal dispute resolution mechanisms to manage grievances and reduce factional conflicts within the party.

The Council welcomed a recent Federal High Court judgment affirming the leadership of Nenadi Usman as Interim National Chairman and passed a vote of confidence on her leadership, as well as key stakeholders including Alex Otti, and the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress.

The party also commended INEC for complying with the court’s ruling, describing it as a step towards strengthening democratic processes.

PR/Georgina Humphrey