INEC Rejects Labour Party Caretaker's Leadership Dissolution

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected the Labour Party (LP) caretaker committee's attempt to dissolve the state leadership. The caretaker committee, led by Nenadi Usman, had submitted a memo dated February 16, 2026, requesting the dissolution of the state executive committees across 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

INEC responded on February 10, 2026, stating that the caretaker committee lacks the power to dissolve existing structures without providing statutory notice as per the party's constitution. This decision was communicated in a leaked memo signed by Dr.

Rose Oriaran. Usman dismissed concerns raised by INEC, labeling the memo as an outdated document that had already been resolved by the party's national leadership.

The ongoing leadership dispute within the Labour Party has been exacerbated by a Supreme Court judgment on April 4, 2025, which declared Julius Abur's tenure as expired. INEC had previously recognized Usman's committee following this ruling, leading to further complications in the party's leadership dynamics.