The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Labour Party has fixed May 23 for its presidential primary.

Senior Special Adviser (Media) to the Interim National Chairman, Ken Asogwa, made this known in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

Asogwa said this was part of the approved timetable for the conduct of the party’s primary elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He said that the timetable was fixed at a statutory NEC meeting observed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Asogwa said the party, in compliance with the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines, also approved April 15 for submission of membership register to INEC.

He also said that the governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly primaries would be held on May 15.

Asogwa added that NEC ratified the actions of the party’s national leadership regarding the conduct of ward, local government and state congresses on March 26, March 28 and March 31 respectively.

According to him, the national convention has been scheduled for April 11.

“The council, which remains the highest decision-making organ of the party after the national convention, reviewed recent developments within the party.

“This included the recent unfortunate invasion of the party secretariat by hoodlums allegedly sponsored by certain rogue elements,” he said.

Asogwa said that the Board of Trustees (BOT), following a review of a report and recommendations of the Peace, Reconciliation and Disciplinary Committee, chaired by Salisu Mohammed (BOT Secretary), had suspended some members.

He said that the affected members were suspended for alleged acts of indiscipline, anti-party activities and complicity in the desecration of the party’s national secretariat:

“NEC further ratified and approved the ongoing expansion of the party’s membership register through a hybrid approach – Digital Membership Registration (e-registration) – alongside manual registration in rural communities.

“This initiative is aimed at modernising the party’s database, strengthening participatory democracy and enhancing transparency and efficiency in party administration, in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026,” he said.

The media aide further stated that the Labour Party’s NEC had resolved that all existing vacancies within party structures should be filled through the appointment of interim leadership to ensure continuity in administration.

“The national leadership has been duly empowered to make such appointments, which will remain in acting capacity pending the conduct of substantive congresses in accordance with the party constitution and approved timetable.

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

“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,” he said.

Asogwa commended INEC for its prompt compliance with the court pronouncement.

‎The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called for mass education of voters ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Obo Effanga, made the call on Monday at a meeting with members of the Directorate of Politics and Governance (DPG), Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Region 57 in Uyo.

‎Effanga said that religious institutions had a crucial role to play in shaping public opinion and mobilising the citizenry.

He said that the involvement of rigorous groups in voter education would enhance democratic participation and promote peaceful elections.

‎”We are working with a very tight election schedule and we need stakeholders to help us to sensitise the public to election procedures.

‎”We urge you to sensitise your members to conduct themselves in a manner that will promote peaceful and credible elections,” he said.

‎The REC said that the commission would soon commence revalidation of the voter register to enable it to identify the actual number of voters in the country.

The Coordinator, DPG RCCG Region 57, Akwa Ibom, Prof. Udeme Udofia, said that the visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration with INEC.

“The essence of this collaboration is to promote responsible citizenship and credible governance,” he said.

‎Udofia said that the DPG unit of the RCCG was established to provide political education on governance processes, civic responsibility and voter participation within the church.

By Johnson Eyiangho, Abuja

Nigeria’s opposition political space is witnessing renewed tension and realignments as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating defections to weaken rival parties, while former Bayelsa State governor, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, said widespread public frustration could trigger major political shifts ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The PDP on Monday dismissed claims by the APC that recent defections signaled the collapse of the opposition, insisting that the ruling party was using inducement and pressure to lure political office holders.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the party described remarks attributed to the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, as “delusional propaganda,” maintaining that defections would not translate into public support for the ruling party.

Ememobong alleged that the APC was deliberately encouraging defections to create the impression that opposition parties were weakening, even though many Nigerians remained dissatisfied with the performance of the current administration.

“For Morka, who is struggling to become a modern-day Joseph Goebbels, he should remember that delusional propaganda does not just destroy a nation but ultimately consumes its proponents,” the statement said.

According to the PDP, the ruling party’s celebration of defections was part of a calculated effort to undermine opposition politics and dominate the political landscape ahead of future elections.

The party further argued that despite what it described as “large-scale defections secured by force and inducement,” many Nigerians continued to reject the APC because of worsening economic and social conditions.

The PDP also claimed that the ruling party had struggled to mobilise genuine grassroots support, alleging that membership registration exercises in some states relied on copied databases from state empowerment programmes.

The party warned that those defending the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would eventually face judgment in the court of public opinion when the history of the period is written.

Meanwhile, former Bayelsa State Governor and Senator representing Bayelsa West, Henry Seriake Dickson, said the growing frustration among Nigerians could reshape the political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Dickson, who recently resigned from the PDP, spoke in Abuja during the unveiling of the digital membership registration portal of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), a new political platform he described as a credible alternative for Nigerians seeking change.

According to him, many citizens are increasingly dissatisfied with the current state of the country and are searching for new political options.

“Nigerians are angry with the status quo. Nigerians are not only angry, they are also hungry, and they are hungry for change. The NDC is available as the tool for effecting the change Nigerians want,” he said.

Dickson described the NDC as a fresh political movement focused on ideology, national development and inclusive participation.

He said the newly launched digital membership registration portal would modernise the party’s operations and encourage participation from Nigerians across the country and in the diaspora.

The senator also likened the emergence of the party to the biblical story of Noah’s Ark, urging Nigerians who desire genuine political transformation to join the platform early.

“We are a national party. We are a pan-Nigerian democratic movement. We are not a regional movement,” Dickson said.

Also speaking at the event, the National Chairman of the party, Senator Cleopas Moses, said the digital registration portal would make it easier for Nigerians to join the party and participate in its activities while promoting transparency and accountability.

The unveiling ceremony was attended by several party leaders and stakeholders, including the National Secretary, Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, and state party chairmen.

Dickson’s comments and the launch of the NDC membership portal come barely weeks after he announced his resignation from the PDP, citing deepening internal crisis and poor leadership within the once-dominant opposition party.

The former governor had expressed concern that the PDP, which once generated hope and enthusiasm among Nigerians, had deteriorated significantly due to internal divisions and leadership challenges.

Analysts say the latest developments highlight growing political manoeuvring among opposition figures as parties reposition themselves ahead of the next electoral cycle.