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PRESS RELEASE FROM THE LABOUR PARTY
The International Republican Institute (IRI) has scored the Labour Party high in its inclusive policies even as it reiterated its commitment to strengthening inclusive political participation in Nigeria.
The Institute’s Resident Program Director, Mr. Sentell Barnes, while paying an advocacy visit to the Labour Party National Headquarters in Abuja also outlined IRI’s programmes and projects in Nigeria, emphasizing efforts to promote the inclusion of marginalized groups in political parties through policy development workshops and advocacy initiatives.
Responding, the National Chairman of the Labour Party, Barrister Julius Abure, highlighted the party’s strides in ensuring inclusivity across its structures and activities. He noted that the Labour Party has consistently promoted women’s political participation, including the advocacy for 35% legislative seat reservations for women, as well as appointments of women into party leadership positions at local, state, and national levels.
While recalling the efforts of the party to promote gender inclusivity in the 2023 general elections, Barrister Abure said, “the Labour Party issued free nomination forms to women aspiring for elective positions, a gesture that contributed to the election of two women into the federal legislature — one in the House of Representatives and another in the Senate.”
He also disclosed that several state chairpersons of the party are women, citing Edo, Rivers, Taraba and Lagos States as examples.
On youth inclusion, the chairman explained that the party had established a directorate for youth affairs, with plans to develop it into an institute to further empower and educate young people in politics.
He added that “many youths benefitted from free or subsidized nomination forms in the last elections, which enabled a number of them to secure elective offices across the country.”
Abure also emphasized the Labour Party’s support for less privileged aspirants who often face financial barriers in politics.
According to him, “the party’s decision to provide free nomination forms to financially disadvantaged candidates allowed new entrants into the political space, many of whom went on to win elections.”
Reaffirming the party’s commitment, Abure assured that Labour Party will continue to champion inclusiveness and provide opportunities for women, youths, and the underprivileged.
He expressed optimism that these measures would result in greater representation of marginalized groups in the 2027 general elections.
The National Chairman also hinted the Resident Director on the various policy initiatives of the party, which includes youth, women, and PWDs inclusion in party administration and election contestation.
The chairman also hinted at the party’s political education initiatives, which is expected to crystalize into a Labour Party Democratic Institute that will be assigned with the training of party members and agents.
SIGN:
Obiora Ifoh
National Publicity Secretary
Labour Party
15/09/2025
