A faction of the Labour Party loyal to Abia State Governor Alex Otti and former presidential candidate Peter Obi has submitted a new 34-member list of its Interim National Working Committee to the Independent National Electoral Commission. This move escalates the ongoing battle for control of the party. The list, signed by Interim National Chairman Nenadi Usman and Interim National Secretary Darlington Nwokocha, was sent to INEC Chairman Prof Joash Amupitan on Friday.
The faction emphasizes that the names on the list supersede an earlier abridged list submitted in August and the ones recently submitted by another faction led by Julius Abure. According to the cover letter, the interim leadership arose from the statutory NEC resolutions of July 18, 2025, and is in line with the Labour Party constitution. The NEC empowered the interim leadership to constitute the full body of the interim national leadership in accordance with Article 13 of the party’s constitution.
The 34-member list includes notable members such as Deputy National Chairman Mohammed Misau, Deputy National Chairman (Female) Nike Oriola, and Deputy National Chairman (NLC) Prof Theophilus Ndubuaku. Other members include Eragbe Anselem, Sarah Bago, and Prof Austin Akubue, among others. The faction stresses that INEC should take legal and official notice of the forwarded names as the legitimate and authentic Interim National Working Committee leadership of the Labour Party.
This development comes after another camp of the party, led by National Chairman Julius Abure, held a fresh NEC meeting in Abuja attended by INEC officials and former vice-presidential candidate Datti Baba-Ahmed. The meeting reaffirmed Abure as national chairman, a position contested by Obi, Otti, and other stakeholders. The leadership split has been ongoing for months, with both sides citing court orders and constitutional provisions to justify their claims.
The submission of the new list highlights the deepening crisis within the Labour Party. With both factions vying for control, the party’s future remains uncertain. As the 2027 election approaches, the party’s ability to resolve its internal conflicts will be crucial in determining its viability as a political force in Nigeria. The Independent National Electoral Commission’s response to the new list will be closely watched, as it may have significant implications for the party’s leadership and direction.