Labour Party targets 20m members ahead of 2027 general elections

As the 2027 general elections approach, the Julius Abure-led Labour Party (LP) has launched an ambitious initiative to boost its membership to over 20 million.

This strategic move aims to strengthen the party’s influence and presence in the political landscape, reflecting its commitment to mobilizing support and engaging citizens in the democratic process.

The Labour Party is determined to galvanize grassroots participation as it prepares for the upcoming electoral challenges.

To achieve this goal, the party has launched an online membership registration and revalidation exercise designed to attract new members from across the nation.

This initiative not only simplifies the process of joining the Labour Party but also encourages widespread participation by making it accessible to individuals in various regions.

By leveraging digital platforms, the party aims to engage a diverse audience and foster a sense of community among its members, ultimately strengthening its position ahead of the elections.

The party equally announced the release of its timetable for the congresses starting with the ward and state levels expected to commence immediately alongside the membership revalidation.

This was contained in a communique issued at the end of the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held virtually on Saturday.

National  Publicity Secretary of the party, Obiora Ifoh, who is a signatory to the communique yesterday also announced that the party also approved the restructuring of the Directorate of Mobilization and Integration while it created the Directorate of International and Diaspora Affairs.

The communique read in part: “NEC approved that “Conscious of  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.

“The first phase of this exercise commences with immediate effect and will end on the 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 2024 constitution as amended records 17 offices to be contested at each ward to include: Chairman, two (2) Vice Chairman (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 Chairman (one must be a female and one representing the platform), Secretary, three (3) Assistant Secretary, 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 levels should by this information commence the necessary preparations.

“Article 13:7 of 2024 constitution as amended records 29 offices to be contested at the state include: Chairman, Six (6) Deputy Chairman, Secretary, two (2) Assistant Secretary, Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Publicity Secretary, Organizing Secretary, Legal Adviser, Auditor, Woman Leader, three (3) Assistant Women Leaders, Youth Leader, (3) Assistant Youth Leaders and five ex-officio members.

“NEC also directed that states that have complied with the basic requirements, particularly on the matter of registration, and are ready for their Congresses, mandatory notification to INEC will be issued on the conduct of congresses in those states within the time frame as stipulated.

“NEC also approved the restructuring of the Directorate of Mobilization 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, Shiek Rufai Al-Sadique to intensify efforts in opening up the party to all cadre of Nigerian populace to ensure massive membership.

“NEC also approved the creation of Directorate of International and Diaspora Affairs. The new directorate will be headed by Prof. Eddie Oparaoji while Ms Aju Elumelu is appointed as the Secretary of the  directorate.

“Beside the task of managing the millions of Party members in Diaspora, they must  come up with modalities on how diasporans will participate actively in various party congresses including the Ward Congress. 

“NEC also directed that various committees which include Electoral Reform Committee, Political Education Committee and State Elders Council be inaugurated with immediate effect.”