By, Olawale Ogunbusola

The Labour Party has fixed Saturday, May 23, as the date for its presidential primary ahead of the 2027 general election.

The decision was taken at the party’s national executive council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday, with officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in attendance to observe proceedings.

A statement issued by Ken Asogwa, senior special adviser on media to Nenadi Usman, the interim national chairman, said the party also approved key preparatory milestones in line with INEC’s timetable for the 2027 polls — which schedules presidential and national assembly elections for January 16, 2027.

He said the party will submit its membership register to INEC by April 15, and conduct of governorship, senatorial, house of representatives, and state assembly primaries on Friday, May 15.

Asogwa said the NEC meeting additionally ratified the schedule for upcoming ward, LGA, and state congresses for March 26 to 31, as well as the national convention set for April 11.

The party used the occasion to address internal challenges, including the recent invasion of its national secretariat.

He said following recommendations from its peace, reconciliation and disciplinary committee, NEC suspended several members for alleged acts of indiscipline, anti-party activities, and involvement in the secretariat incident.

The party’s NEC endorsed the ongoing hybrid membership registration drive — combining digital e-registration and manual processes in rural areas — to modernise the party’s database and boost transparency.

The council passed a vote of confidence in the interim leadership of Nenadi Usman as national chairman, the interim national working committee, the board of trustees, the NLC and TUC leadership, and Alex Otti, governor of Abia.

“The council also urged members to utilise the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms to address grievances, thereby promoting unity and minimising internal conflicts,” the statement reads.

“Finally, NEC welcomed the recent judgment of the Federal High Court affirming the leadership of Sen. Nenadi Usman as Interim National Chairman. The council passed a vote of confidence in her leadership, the Interim National Working Committee, the BOT, leadership of the NLC, leadership of the TUC and the leadership of Gov. Alex Otti