By Ihechinyere Chigemeri-Uwom
Sen. Nenadi Usman was on Tuesday elected the National Chairman of Labour Party through consensus at the party’s 2026 Elective National Convention held in Umuahia, Abia State.
Usman had been holding forth as the interim national chairman of the party since on Wednesday, 4th September 2024.
She was appointed to lead the National Caretaker Committee of the party at a NEC meeting in Umuahia, following a leadership vacuum created by the expiration of the tenure of the former leadership.
However, her leadership was opposed by the Julius Abure faction until she gained upper hand after her recognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday, 30th January 2026, following a Federal High Court judgement delivered on 21st January 2026 affirming her leadership.
This decision was subsequently upheld by the Court of Appeal in a unanimous judgement delivered on Tuesday, 21st April 2026.
The court judgments and the INEC recognition paved the way for election of Usman as the substantive chairperson of Labour Party also at Umuahia on Tuesday.
Speaking after her election, the former Finance Minister extended an olive branch to aggrieved members, calling for reconciliation and unity after months of internal disputes in the party.
“Despite these challenges, we hold no grudges. We have extended the hands of fellowship to all because the party remains supreme.
“Leaders will come and go but Labour Party must endure,” she said.
Usman acknowledged that the party had faced leadership tussles and legal battles over the past 19 months, emphasising, however, that the crises had strengthened its resolve.
“Our journey has not been without challenges; from leadership disputes to legal battles; we remained steadfast.
“The Supreme Court and judgments judgments had affirmed our leadership, and INEC’s recognition further strengthened our legitimacy,” she said.
Usman urged delegates to focus on the party’s future as they elect new leaders, stressing that unity was critical to its electoral success.
In his remarks, Governor Alex Otti charged the newly elected National Working Committee to provide purposeful leadership and strengthen the party’s structures nationwide.
The former Interim National Secretary of the party, Sen. Darlington Nwokocha, said that the transitional LP leadership stabilised the party and positioned it for future electoral success.
Nwokocha said that the party had successfully overcome a prolonged leadership and constitutional crisis that had threatened its unity and operations.
He noted that the constitution of the interim national working committee in September 2024 helped to fill the leadership vacuum and restore order within the party.
Nwokocha added that the committee brought together key stakeholders and repositioned the party for effective governance.
He also highlighted judicial victories recorded by the party, including favourable rulings by the Supreme Court in April 2025, as well as subsequent decisions of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal in April 2026.
He said that the rulings restored legality, legitimacy and institutional authority to the party’s structures.
According to him, the party has rebuilt its structures across the country and strengthened its internal processes in line with its constitution.
In his speech, the Chairman of the Convention Planning Committee, Chief Ginger Onwusibe, called for unity, transparency and a sense of responsibility among delegates at the party’s national convention.
Onwusibe said that the convention was a critical moment for strengthening internal democracy and repositioning the party for greater national relevance.
He noted that the processes leading to the convention were deliberate and structured, including the successful conduct of ward, local government and state congresses across the country.
In his remarks, the President of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr Festus Osifo, said that the convention marked a defining moment for both the party and Nigeria’s broader struggle for social and economic justice.
Osifo, represented by Dr Nuhu Toro, highlighted the harsh realities facing Nigerian workers, including rising inflation and declining purchasing power, calling for a disciplined and ideologically driven political platform.
Similarly, the President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero, described the gathering as a critical point in the fight for economic liberation.
Ajaero, represented by Mr Stephen Okoro, stressed that the party was built on the sacrifices of ordinary Nigerians and must not be reduced to an elite platform.
While acknowledging internal challenges, he, however, urged party members to remain steadfast, noting that success in the 2027 general elections would depend on organisation, mobilisation and voter education.
Also speaking, the acting Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees, Mr Lawson Osagie, called on incoming leaders to prioritise unity and institutional stability.
Osagie, who described the event as a milestone in his two decades in the party, urged the new leadership to “put the house in order” and build a cohesive structure capable of sustaining long-term progress.
The newly elected National Working Committee was thereafter sworn in and has assumed office.
Other members of the new Labour Party Elects executive include Rt. Hon. Iheanacho Obioma as National Secretary, Mrs. Nike Oriola, Deputy National Chairman, Ken Eluma Asogwa and the National Publicity Secretary and Mrs. Oluchi Oparah as National Organising Secretary. The others are Comrade Anslem Eragbe as National Financial Secretary and Hilda Dokubo as the National Women Leader,
(NAN)
