In a move that intensifies the internal crisis rocking the opposition Labour Party (LP), the faction loyal to its 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has submitted a rival 34-member interim leadership list to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), challenging the authority of the National Chairman, Julius Abure.
The list for the Interim National Working Committee (INWC) was submitted on Friday, November 28, 2025, and was jointly signed by Senator Nenadi Usman, who acts as the Interim National Chairman for the faction, and Darlington Nwokocha, its Interim National Secretary.
The submission comes few hours after a rival National Executive Council (NEC) meeting convened by Comrade Julius Abure, which reaffirmed him as the party’s national chairman and was attended by officials from INEC and former vice-presidential candidate Datti Baba-Ahmed.
In a cover letter addressed to INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan, the Usman-led faction cited the party’s constitution and a July 18, 2025, NEC resolution as the legal basis for its action. The letter stated that the newly submitted list “superseded” an earlier abridged list from August and any lists recently submitted by the Abure camp.
“We are pleased to forward herewith the names and designations of the reconstituted members of the Interim National Leadership in line with the LP constitution and the statutory NEC resolutions of July 18, 2025,” part of the letter read.
Senator Usman urged the electoral commission to “take legal and official notice” of the forwarded names as the “legitimate and authentic Interim National Working Committee leadership of the Labour Party.”
Key Figures in the Faction
The Obi-backed faction is reported to enjoy the support of key party stakeholders, including Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, which lends it significant political weight in the ongoing power struggle.
The 34-member list includes prominent figures such as Deputy National Chairman (TUC) Mohammed Misau, Deputy National Chairman (Female) Mrs. Nike Oriola, and Deputy National Chairman (NLC), Prof Theophilus Ndubuaku. Other members are Eragbe Anselem, Sarah Bago, and Gloria George-Omunu, among others.
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