Labour Party NEC Elects Usman Nenadi as Interim National Chairman, Darlington Nwokocha as Secretary

The Labour Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) has elected Senator Usman Nenadi as Interim National Chairman following a statutory NEC meeting held Friday in Abuja. Senator Darlington Nwokocha was also named Interim National Secretary, as part of a newly constituted interim national working committee that will oversee party affairs until a convention is held to elect a new NEC.

The committee is tasked with coordinating all party activities in the lead-up to the convention. The NEC also approved a comprehensive schedule for the conduct of ward, local government, state, zonal congresses, and the National Convention. The National Secretariat has been directed to publish election guidelines and timelines to ensure a transparent and democratic process at every level.

Present at the meeting were key figures including Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Joe Ajaero and Abia State Governor Alex Otti, the party’s only elected governor. Ajaero reaffirmed the NLC’s support for the Labour Party and described it as a platform for the common man. He encouraged members to remain steadfast despite internal challenges, stating, “Anyone who is not with us and claims to be the party’s chairman is a daydreamer.”

Governor Otti emphasized the need for unity and reform within the party, calling for humility and obedience to the recent Supreme Court ruling that affirmed Nenadi’s leadership. He stressed the importance of restructuring and rebranding the party to ensure its long-term viability. “We are here to begin a structured process by formalizing key committees like the interim national working committee,” he said, while urging the Abure-led faction to respect the court’s decision.

Otti also expressed appreciation for the NLC’s foundational role in establishing the Labour Party but noted that the party has grown beyond the union’s original scope. He called on members to set aside differences and work together to strengthen the party’s future.