The Labour Party has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its role in supervising its nationwide ward congresses, describing the exercise as orderly and professionally monitored.
Interim National Caretaker Committee Chairman, Esther Nenadi Usman, gave the commendation in a statement issued in Abuja by her Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ken Asogwa.
The congresses, held across Nigeria’s 8,809 political wards, mark the beginning of a broader internal restructuring aimed at strengthening the party’s grassroots presence ahead of its national convention.
Participating in the exercise at her Jere South Ward in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State, where proceedings were conducted alongside Jere North Ward, Usman expressed satisfaction with the peaceful and organised nature of the process.
“This marks the commencement of our congresses at the ward level. What you have seen here are Jere North and Jere South conducting their congresses together, as is customary. New executives have been duly elected,” she said.
“Reports from across the federation indicate that the exercise was largely peaceful and well-organised, with INEC playing a commendable role through timely monitoring,” she added.
According to her, the simultaneous ward congresses have produced new party executives expected to manage affairs at the grassroots level and prepare the ground for subsequent stages of the process.
She explained that the next phase will include local government congresses scheduled for April 24, followed by state congresses on April 25, culminating in a national convention on April 28 in Umuahia, Abia State.
Usman noted that beyond organisational restructuring, the party remains committed to inclusivity, with emphasis on gender balance in leadership positions.
She urged members to maintain the peaceful conduct recorded during the ward congresses as the process advances, stressing that the outcome of the convention will shape the party’s leadership and strategic direction ahead of future elections.
