Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the comrade Julius Abure-led Labour Party (LP), has commenced a drive to increase its membership strength beyond 20 million.

Towards this end, the party has initiated an online membership registration and revalidation exercise to attract new members nationwide.

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.

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Also speaking on the need for creation of the Electoral Reform Committee, the National Chairman of the LP, 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 reforms in Nigeria. The Committee must take cognizance 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 8 weeks to submit its report.

Speaking about what was expected of the political education committee, 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 attitude and behaviors. 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 mobilizing and conscientizing the people and prepare them for citizens engagement in the country.

“We have therefore appointed Rt Hon Ativie Elizabeth, former Speaker of 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 doldrum for too long and we are poised to rescue the nation.”