By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA – The Labour Party (LP) has announced a comprehensive plan to reposition itself as a major political force in Nigeria, emphasizing electoral reforms, political education, and strategic mobilization efforts.

The party’s National Executive Council (NEC), led by National Chairman Barrister Julius Abure, approved a series of initiatives during its meeting held in Abuja.

These include creating new directorates, restructuring existing ones, and establishing committees to address critical issues affecting its operations and the country’s political landscape.

The NEC approved the creation of an Electoral Reform Committee to address systemic electoral issues, with Hon. Benedict Etanabene as Chairman, Hon. Okey Joe as Co-Chair, and Dudu Manuga as Secretary.

Abure stated that the Labour Party was a major victim of electoral malpractice in the 2023 general elections and is determined to pursue credible, fair, and transparent processes for candidate selection and broader electoral reforms. The committee has eight weeks to submit its recommendations, which will guide the party’s future engagements with the electorate and electoral institutions.

In addition to electoral reforms, the party introduced a Political Education Committee, chaired by Rt. Hon. Ativie Elizabeth with Mr. Bulus Maisamari as Secretary, to reorient both members and followers. Abure emphasized the need for attitudinal change among Nigerians, stating that leadership reflects the quality of followership. The committee’s mandate includes mobilizing and conscientizing the public to foster growth and development through active citizen engagement.

The NEC also restructured its Directorate of Mobilization and Integration, commending the Director General, Dr. Marcel Ngogbehei, and Secretary, Shiek Rufai Al-Sadique, for their achievements in expanding the party’s membership within six months of its inauguration. The NEC urged the directorate to intensify efforts to open the party to all Nigerians.

Furthermore, the Labour Party established a new Directorate of International and Diaspora Affairs to manage its growing diaspora membership. The directorate will be led by Prof. Eddie Oparaoji, with Ms. Aju Elumelu as Secretary. The NEC tasked the team with developing strategies to ensure active participation of diaspora members in party congresses and decision-making processes.

The party also directed the immediate inauguration of other committees, including the State Elders Council and the Political Education Committee, to strengthen internal governance. These efforts align with the Labour Party’s commitment to repositioning itself as a credible alternative for leadership, addressing Nigeria’s challenges, and building a strong political brand ahead of future elections.

Abure said, “We note that the Labour Party is a major victim in the 2023 general election and will therefore pursue electoral reform in Nigeria.

“And for us to have credible, proactive leaders that will work in the interest of the people, the processes leading to the selection of these candidates must be credible, fair and transparent.

“To this extent, Labour Party is poised to pursue a holistic electoral reforms in Nigeria. The Committee must take cognizance of all our laws and institutions and therefore make recommendations to the party.

“The recommendations will form the basis of our future engagement with the electorate and all institutions in Nigeria, having roles to play in election matters.

“Before and during the 2023 general election, we had this understanding that leadership alone was the major challenge of this country. Events have reshaped this understanding to mean that followership is as guilty as the leadership.

“This indeed has reinforced the philosophy that defines leadership as a reflection of the people. Consequently, we need to mind the mind of our followers and members. There is therefore the need to reorient the people and for the people to begin to change their attitude and behaviors. There is also the need for the people to be the catalyst for growth and development.

“To this extent, Labour Party will constantly invest in political education. This underscores the importance of having a virile, strong and articulate political education committee that will assist the party in mobilizing and conscientizing the people and prepare them for citizens’ engagement in the country.

“We are therefore determined to reposition our Labour Party and to make it the biggest political brand in readiness for future political engagements. Nigeria has remained in the doldrum for too long and we are poised to rescue the nation.”

Similarly, the National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, added: “NEC also approved the restructuring of the Directorate of Mobilization and Integration. The party applauded the instant success achieved by this directorate less than six months after its inauguration.

“NEC urged the directorate under the leadership of Dr. Marcel Ngogbehei and secretaryship, Shiek Rufai Al-Sadique to intensify efforts in opening up the party to all cadre of Nigerian populace to ensure massive membership.

“NEC also approved the creation of the Directorate of International and Diaspora Affairs. The new directorate will be headed by Prof. Eddie Oparaoji while Ms. Aju Elumelu is appointed as the Secretary of the directorate.

“Besides the task of managing the millions of Party members in Diaspora, they must come up with modalities on how diasporans will participate actively in various party congresses, including the Ward Congress.”