Labour Party Stakeholders Form Caretaker Committee to Lead Party Through Transition

The Labour Party (LP) stakeholders have formally communicated with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding the establishment of a 29-member caretaker committee to steer the party on an interim basis.

This move comes amidst ongoing leadership disputes within the party, aimed at stabilising its operations and ensuring a smooth transition to new leadership.

Last week, key figures in the Labour Party, including its presidential candidate Peter Obi, Abia State Governor Alex Otti, as well as several elected Senators and House of Representatives members, convened in Umuahia, Abia State.

At this meeting, they resolved to appoint a 29-member caretaker committee, which will be chaired by former Minister of Finance, Nenadi Usman, and will oversee the election of a new party leadership within 90 days.

In a letter jointly signed by Peter Obi and Governor Alex Otti, the stakeholders informed INEC that the formation of the caretaker committee was necessitated by the de-recognition of the Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC) by INEC in June 2024.

The letter highlighted that the caretaker committee has been mandated to conduct congresses and a national convention within 180 days, effectively bridging the gap left by the expiration of the tenure of the former leadership at all levels of the party.

The correspondence to INEC outlined the structure of the caretaker committee, with Senator Esther Nenadi Usman appointed as the Chairperson and Senator Darlington Nwokocha taking on the role of Secretary.

The committee’s primary responsibility is to organise party congresses and a national convention that will lead to the election of a new, permanent leadership body for the Labour Party.

“You will recall that the Labour Party has been experiencing a leadership crisis in recent times, culminating in the de-recognition of the Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC) by INEC, effective June 2024,” the letter stated.

The document further explained that the statutory executives of the party—comprising the Governor, Deputy Governor, legislators, and other key figures such as representatives of gubernatorial candidates and the presidential and vice-presidential candidates from the 2023 elections—met in Umuahia on 4th September 2024.

This assembly, which also included the leadership of organised labour, resolved to establish the caretaker committee to stabilise the party’s leadership.

The formation of the caretaker committee is seen as a crucial step in resolving the internal leadership crisis that has plagued the Labour Party in recent months.

The party’s internal divisions became particularly pronounced after the June 2024 de-recognition of the Abure-led NWC by INEC, which created a leadership vacuum and raised concerns about the party’s ability to maintain cohesion and effective governance.

The caretaker committee is expected to function autonomously but within the confines of its mandate to organise the necessary party congresses and national convention.

The leadership crisis in the Labour Party is not unique, as similar disputes have been seen in other major Nigerian political parties, where leadership conflicts often lead to factionalism and legal battles.

However, the Labour Party stakeholders’ proactive approach in setting up an interim leadership structure could serve as a stabilising influence, allowing the party to refocus on its core objectives and prepare for future elections.

Senator Esther Nenadi Usman, as the head of the committee, brings significant experience to the role, having served as Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and as a respected figure in the political landscape.

Her leadership will be pivotal in guiding the caretaker committee through its mandate, ensuring that the process of electing new party leaders is transparent, democratic, and reflective of the members’ wishes.

Governor Alex Otti, in his remarks at the meeting, emphasised the importance of unity and continuity within the party, stressing that the primary goal of the caretaker committee is to restore confidence in the party’s leadership.

“We are committed to ensuring that the Labour Party emerges stronger and more unified after this transition period,” Otti stated.

Peter Obi, while addressing the stakeholders, reiterated the need for discipline and dedication to the party’s ideals.

He urged all members to support the caretaker committee’s efforts, underscoring that the process would lay the foundation for a revitalised Labour Party ready to tackle future electoral challenges.

The Labour Party’s leadership transition is closely watched by political analysts, as the outcome could significantly influence the party’s performance in upcoming elections.

The establishment of a caretaker committee represents a strategic effort to resolve internal conflicts and position the party as a formidable force in Nigeria’s political arena.

As the caretaker committee embarks on its mandate, all eyes will be on how effectively it navigates the challenges ahead, including organising transparent congresses and conventions that reflect the true will of the party’s membership.