Labour Party Sets Up 19-Member Interim Committee to Rebuild Rivers Structure After Court-Backed Leadership Shake-Up

The Labour Party has moved to re-establish control of its Rivers State chapter with the appointment of a 19-member interim committee, following a Federal High Court ruling that affirmed Nenadi Usman as the party’s lawful national leader.

The party’s National Working Committee (NWC) announced the development in a statement jointly signed by National Chairman Nenadi Usman and National Secretary Darlington Nwokocha.

Fredrick Nwoje will serve as Chairman of the interim body, with Precious Nwogu, Godfrey Otamiri, Anthony Wachukwu, Nyeche Wodike, Lawyer Thompson, and Nwiwagbo Harry appointed as Deputy Chairmen. Chioma Atandikiari was named Secretary of the committee.

Other members include Chinedu Christian Anele and Bright Odum as Assistant Secretaries; Sampson Nwoka as Financial Secretary; Afoma Jonathan as Treasurer; Dr. Victor Tubo as Publicity Secretary; Onusaka Saineimi as Youth Leader; Bekenwari Bob-Manual as Women Leader; Akahaa Egonu as Deputy Women Leader; Ojukwu Christian as Auditor; Mills Orlu Orlu as Legal Adviser; and Ogoya Princewill as Organising Secretary.

The statement said the interim leadership has been mandated to stabilise, rebuild, and strengthen the party’s structure across Rivers State.

Court ruling reshapes party leadership

The development comes against the backdrop of a legal battle over the party’s national leadership.

On January 21, 2026, the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that Nenadi Usman is the lawful leader of the Labour Party and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise her leadership.

INEC subsequently updated its records on January 30, listing Usman as the caretaker national chairman on its official website. The electoral body also reaffirmed that position last week.

Despite the ruling, the faction led by Julius Abure rejected the judgment and announced plans to challenge the decision at the appellate court.

The Rivers interim committee is widely seen as one of the first major structural steps taken by the Usman-led leadership to assert control and reposition the party in key states ahead of future political activities.