The Labour Party (LP) has inaugurated a new Interim National Working Committee (INWC) to steer the party through its current leadership transition. Former Minister of Finance, Senator Nenadi Esther Usman, was named Interim National Chairman, while Senator Darlington Nwokocha was appointed Interim National Secretary.

The appointments were ratified during the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on Friday in Abuja. A communiqué issued at the end of the meeting was signed by key figures, including Abia State Governor Alex Otti, his deputy Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, Labour Party Board of Trustees Chairman Chief Sylvester Ejiofor, as well as representatives from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and other senior party stakeholders.

Reading the communiqué, Nwokocha noted that the leadership change was in line with the LP Constitution and a Supreme Court ruling delivered on April 4, 2025, which ended Barrister Julius Abure’s tenure as national chairman.

The NEC urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to uphold professionalism and impartiality as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections. It also discussed strategies for upcoming by-elections and the Anambra governorship race, reaffirming its commitment to presenting credible candidates.

Governor Otti, in his address, emphasized the party’s focus on a well-structured leadership transition. “We are here to formally start the process of getting a new leadership for this party, in an organised and structured manner,” he stated.

He further explained that the transition process would begin at the ward level, advance through local government and state structures, and culminate in a national convention.

Otti added that the current NEC, now reduced to nine statutory members following the court ruling, could not continue to operate independently. “The power conferred on us gives us authority to set up an interim national working committee. And that committee has just one job manage this party until the convention, when a new leadership would emerge,” he said.

With its interim leadership in place, the Labour Party has entered a critical phase of internal restructuring, ahead of a planned national convention and the 2027 elections.