*Baba-Ahmed Dumps Party, Says PRP Is New Destination
THE Labour Party (LP), at its national convention held in Umuahia, Abia State, on Tuesday, April 28, elected chairman of its national caretaker committee, Nenadi Usman, as National Chairman.
Recall that Usman was appointed to chair the committee at a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Umuahia on Wednesday, September 4, 2024.
A statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, listed other members elected into the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) as Iheanacho Obioma as National Secretary; Nike Oriola as Deputy National Chairman; Oluchi Oparah as National Organising Secretary; Anslem Eragbe as National Financial Secretary; and Hilda Dokubo as National Women Leader, among other national officers.
The statement added that the newly elected NWC was immediately sworn in and has assumed office, adding: “Usman brings a wealth of experience and proven capacity to her new role.
“As the 2027 general elections approach, she bears the immediate responsibility of positioning the party for electoral success. Following its strong showing in the 2023 general elections, the Labour Party has firmly established itself as a formidable political platform, a foundation Usman is poised to consolidate.
“Prior to the convention, Usman had been recognised as the Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee of the party by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday, January 30, 2026, following a Federal High Court judgment delivered on January 21, 2026, affirming her leadership.
“This decision was subsequently upheld by the Court of Appeal in a unanimous judgment delivered on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.”
In her acceptance speech, Usman expressed gratitude to members for the confidence reposed in her, pledging to reposition the party for greater success.
She commended the host governor, Alex Otti, for his exemplary leadership, vowing not let the party down, even as she reaffirmed her commitment to fostering unity, peace and reconciliation within the party ahead of next year’s general elections.
In his remarks, Otti charged the newly elected NWC to provide purposeful leadership and strengthen the party’s structures nationwide.
Meanwhile, the party’s vice presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Datti Baba-Ahmed, had disclosed his intention to leave the party and join the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).
Speaking on a television programme on Tuesday, Baba-Ahmed cited internal crises and disagreements within the LP for his decision, adding that the party has drifted from its original ideals.
He stated: “I am leaving the Labour Party tomorrow (Wednesday). There is more to it. When there was real peace in the Labour Party was when they posted back.
“They redeployed someone with a specific purpose, and because of the antecedence of the individual, to make life difficult, particularly for me. What the Labour Party stood for then is no longer what it is today.
“I am leaving the Labour Party at midnight, and I am joining PRP. PRP is the new destination. PRP is the one with a history. It’s about 75 years old.”
