Preparatory to the 2027 general elections, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Labour Party (LP) says it has launched an online membership revalidation registration application to recruit and exceed 20 million members.

The party also announced the release of its timetable for congresses, starting with the ward up to state levels, which will commence immediately with membership revalidation.

According to the communiqu? issued at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held virtually over the weekend, the party also approved the restructuring of the Directorate of Mobilisation and Integration while creating the Directorate of International and Diaspora Affairs.

The communiqu? read in part:

NEC approves that, ?Conscious of the need to expand the membership of the party, all members are expected to revalidate their membership while new members are to register online via [https://ee.kobotoolbox.org/x/up9GnIuu](https://ee.kobotoolbox.org/x/up9GnIuu).

?The first phase of this exercise commences with immediate effect and will end on 31st January 2025. This online registration will be used to update the Ward register ahead of the congresses.

?Ward Congresses will commence between February and March 2025. Every interested member of the party aspiring to hold offices at the ward level should by this information commence the necessary preparations. Article 13:11 of the 2024 constitution, as amended, records 17 offices to be contested at each ward to include: Chairman, two (2) Vice Chairmen (one male and one female), Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Publicity Secretary, Legal Adviser, Auditor, Woman Leader, Youth Leader and five ex-officio members.

?Local Government Congress will commence between April and May 2025. Every interested member of the party aspiring to hold offices at the Local Government levels should by this notice commence the necessary preparations. Article 13:9 of the 2024 constitution, as amended, records 21 offices to be contested at each Local Government Area to include: Chairman, four (4) Vice Chairmen (one must be a female and one representing the platform), Secretary, three (3) Assistant Secretaries, Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Publicity Secretary, Legal Adviser, Auditor, Woman Leader, Youth Leader and five ex-officio members.

?State Congress will commence between June and July 2025. Every interested member of the party aspiring to hold offices at the state level should by this information commence the necessary preparations. Article 13:7 of the 2024 constitution, as amended, records 29 offices to be contested at the state level to include: Chairman, six (6) Deputy Chairmen, Secretary, two (2) Assistant Secretaries, Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Publicity Secretary, Organising Secretary, Legal Adviser, Auditor, Woman Leader, three (3) Assistant Women Leaders, Youth Leader, three (3) Assistant Youth Leaders and five ex-officio members.?

NEC directed that states which have complied with the basic requirements, particularly on the matter of registration, and are ready for their congresses, must issue mandatory notification to INEC on the conduct of congresses within the stipulated timeframe.

NEC also approved the restructuring of the Directorate of Mobilisation and Integration. The party applauded the instant success achieved by this directorate less than six months after its inauguration. NEC urged the directorate, under the leadership of Dr Mercel Ngogbehei and secretaryship of Sheikh Rufai Al-Sadique, to intensify efforts to open the party to all cadres of the Nigerian populace to ensure massive membership.

NEC further approved the creation of the Directorate of International and Diaspora Affairs. The new directorate will be headed by Prof Eddie Oparaoji, while Ms Aju Elumelu is appointed Secretary. Besides managing the millions of party members in the diaspora, they must devise modalities for diasporans to participate actively in various party congresses, including the Ward Congress.

NEC also directed the immediate inauguration of various committees, including the Electoral Reform Committee, Political Education Committee, and State Elders Council.

Speaking on the need for creating the Electoral Reform Committee, the National Chairman of the Labour Party, Barrister Julius Abure, said, ?We note that the Labour Party is a major victim in the 2023 general election and will therefore pursue electoral reform in Nigeria.

?And for us to have credible, proactive leaders that will work in the interest of the people, the processes leading to the selection of these candidates must be credible, fair and transparent.

?To this extent, Labour Party is poised to pursue a holistic electoral reform in Nigeria. The Committee must take cognisance of all our laws and institutions and therefore make recommendations to the party. The recommendations will form the basis of our future engagement with the electorate and all institutions in Nigeria having roles to play in election matters. This Committee will be chaired by Hon Benedict Etanabene, while Hon Okey Joe will be the Co-Chair. Dudu Manuga will act as Secretary. The Committee has eight weeks to submit its report.?

On the Political Education Committee, Barrister Abure said, ?Before and during the 2023 general election, we had this understanding that leadership alone was the major challenge of this country. Events have reshaped this understanding to mean that followership is as guilty as the leadership. This indeed has reinforced the philosophy that defines leadership as a reflection of the people. Consequently, we need to mind the mind of our followers and members. There is therefore the need to reorient the people and for the people to begin to change their attitudes and behaviours. There is also the need for the people to be the catalyst for growth and development.

?To this extent, Labour Party will constantly invest in political education. This underscores the importance of having a virile, strong and articulate Political Education Committee that will assist the party in mobilising and conscientising the people and prepare them for citizens? engagement in the country.

?We have therefore appointed Rt Hon Ativie Elizabeth, former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, as the Chairman, and Mr Bulus Maisamari as the Secretary of the Education Committee, respectively. Other members of this committee will be announced in due course.

?We are therefore determined to reposition our Labour Party and to make it the biggest political brand in readiness for future political engagements. Nigeria has remained in the doldrums for too long, and we are poised to rescue the nation.? (Daily Sun)

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