By PERPETUA ONUEGBU

Labour Party will commence nationwide congresses from March as part of efforts to strengthen the party’s internal structures and reposition it ahead of future elections.

Leader of the party, Gov. Alex Otti, made this known while addressing key stakeholders, including members of the party’s Board of Trustees, the National Working Committee (NWC) and leaders of organised labour on Sunday in Abuja.

Otti, who is the governor of Abia, described the engagement as successful, noting that discussions focused on the organisation of congresses from the ward level to the national convention, validation of party membership and registration of new members.

He said that a committeee had been set up to oversee the membership validation process, while preparations were underway for a national convention that would pave way for the party’s progress.

Otti also expressed happiness over the uploading of the names of the party’s NWC leaders on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) website.

Addressing recent internal challenges, Otti acknowledged the exit of the party’s former presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, and the defection of some National Assembly members and interim national committee officials.

While expressing regret over the development, he, however, said that Labour Party remained strong and committed to resolving its internal issues.

According to him, a reconciliation committee will be constituted to engage aggrieved members who are willing to return and abide by the party’s rules.

Otti said that he had personally appealed to Julius Abure and his team to sheathe their swords and rejoin the party in the interest of unity.

He also disclosed that the party might not participate in the forthcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT) area council elections due to time constraints, but assured that the party would participate actively in subsequent elections.

On Obi’s decision to join African Democratic Congress (ADC), the governor said that Labour Party wished him well.

Speaking on whether the party was considering joining a coalition, Otti described Labour Party as a coalition already and has no plan to join any other coalition.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a Federal High Court in Abuja had, in its recent judgement, given recognition to the Sen. Nenadi Usman-led interim leadership as the legitimate leadership of the party.

NAN reports that following the court verdict, INEC had uploaded the names of Usman’s names and those of her team on its portal, with a note: “by order of court.” (NAN)