Susan Abayomi
The Labour Party (LP) has released its timetable for the 2026 primary elections ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the presidential nomination form pegged at ₦50 million. The schedule was contained in a communique issued after a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja and monitored by INEC officials.
According to the timetable approved by the Nenadi Usman-led interim National Working Committee, the party will submit its membership register to INEC on April 15, 2026. Ward congresses are scheduled for April 23, local government congresses for April 24, and state congresses for April 25. The national convention is fixed for April 28, 2026, at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, Abia State.
For elective offices, primaries for governorship, Senate, House of Representatives, and State Houses of Assembly will hold on Friday, May 15, 2026. The presidential primary is set for Saturday, May 23, 2026.
The letter to INEC, signed by Interim National Chairman Sen. Nenadi Usman, noted that the timetable complies with Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties. The party had earlier postponed activities to allow for broader participation and to complete its ongoing digital membership registration process.
NEC also ratified actions of the national leadership regarding ward, local government, and state congresses slated for March 26, 28, and 31, 2026, respectively, and the national convention scheduled for April 11, 2026. The communique stressed that the dates align with INEC’s guidelines and the Electoral Act.
While the communique and letters to INEC detailed the dates for congresses and primaries, the specific cost of nomination forms was not listed in the releases cited by Vanguard, The Nation, or Daily Post. However, you noted the presidential form is set at ₦50 million, placing LP below the ADC’s ₦100 million fee announced Sunday.
The NEC meeting also addressed internal issues, approving the suspension of members for anti-party activities and complicity in the “desecration” of the Party’s National Secretariat. The disciplinary actions followed recommendations from the Peace, Reconciliation and Disciplinary Committee chaired by Comrade Salisu Mohammed.
With INEC’s deadline for parties to submit membership registers set for May 10, 2026, and primaries to be concluded before May 30, 2026, the Labour Party’s schedule puts its presidential primary among the latest of the major parties. The NEC said the roadmap ensures “full compliance” with electoral laws as LP prepares for the 2027 polls.
