The leadership of the Labour Party (LP) has acknowledged internal shortcomings that affected its ability to defend electoral claims following Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election. Party National Chairman Nenadi Usman stated that the organisation failed to fully harness the nationwide structure of organised labour, a lapse she believes weakened the party’s post-election legal and political strategy.
Her remarks were delivered during a strategic stakeholders’ gathering held at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja, where discussions focused on rebuilding internal unity and strengthening future electoral performance.
Missed Opportunity With Labour Institutions
Usman explained that the Labour Party’s historic connection with organised labour should have provided a strong grassroots framework capable of supporting election monitoring and documentation nationwide. According to her, insufficient mobilisation of members from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) limited the party’s operational reach during the election period.
She noted that while political debates at the time centred on technological issues such as electronic transmission of results, the party’s more pressing challenge was organisational depth at polling-unit level.
In her view, a political party’s strength lies not only in popularity but in verified membership presence across communities.
Importance of Membership Data and Structure
The LP chairman emphasised that knowing party members individually — including their locations and participation levels — forms the foundation of electoral success. Without accurate grassroots registration, she said, the party struggled to present verifiable evidence when contesting election outcomes.
She argued that effective political structures must begin from polling units rather than national offices, stressing that widespread membership documentation allows parties to deploy trusted agents during elections.
To illustrate the point differently, she outlined the key elements required for a functional grassroots system:
- comprehensive registration of members across polling units
- collaboration with labour unions and affiliated organisations
- availability of trained agents capable of monitoring vote counting
- proper collection and preservation of official electoral documentation
Legal Challenges After the Election
Usman admitted that the absence of a coordinated grassroots framework created difficulties when the party approached the courts. She explained that electoral litigation relies heavily on documented proof from polling units, particularly official result forms used to validate vote counts.
According to her, failure to secure these materials systematically prevented the party from demonstrating the scale of support it believed it received during the election.
At another stage of her address, she stressed that no political structure can survive without a solid organisational base, acknowledging that critics who questioned the party’s structure had raised concerns that later proved significant.
Role of Workers and Union Networks
Highlighting the potential strength of organised labour, Usman noted that workers and retirees exist in virtually every community across Nigeria. She suggested that mobilising union members could have ensured comprehensive election coverage even without financial incentives.
She expressed confidence that labour supporters would have willingly protected the party’s votes if adequately engaged and coordinated ahead of the polls.
New Plans for Rebuilding Ahead of Future Elections
The Labour Party leadership disclosed that consultations have already begun with both the NLC and TUC to rebuild grassroots presence. Discussions are focused on integrating union networks into party membership structures and strengthening local mobilisation mechanisms.
Usman described the initiative as an opportunity to correct past mistakes and establish a sustainable organisational foundation capable of supporting future electoral contests.
Commentary and Political Analysis
The Labour Party’s self-assessment reflects a broader lesson in Nigerian politics: electoral popularity alone rarely guarantees institutional success. While the party achieved remarkable visibility during the 2023 elections, organisational infrastructure ultimately determines effectiveness in both voting and post-election litigation.
Usman’s remarks signal a strategic shift from personality-driven mobilisation toward structured political organisation. By reconnecting with labour unions — historically central to the party’s identity — the LP appears to be repositioning itself for long-term political relevance rather than short-term momentum.
If successfully implemented, a stronger grassroots system could transform the party’s electoral resilience, particularly in future contests where documentation, mobilisation, and legal preparedness may prove decisive.
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