The Labour Party has pledged to overhaul its candidate selection process following a series of high-profile defections, with acting National Chairman Senator Nenadi Usman expressing confidence that the party remains resilient despite recent departures.
Speaking to journalists in Kaduna State on Saturday, Usman acknowledged that the party had made critical errors in choosing candidates but insisted these mistakes would not be repeated in future electoral cycles.
“We made some mistakes in candidate selection, but those lessons have been learned. Going forward, we will be more deliberate in choosing those who genuinely align with our mission of building a new Nigeria,” Usman declared.
The Labour Party chairman dismissed the recent wave of defections affecting her party, describing the moves as both “morally indefensible” and “legally questionable.” Her comments come amid growing concerns about political opportunism as several elected officials abandon their original parties for the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Usman expressed particular frustration with politicians who secured electoral victories under the Labour Party banner before switching allegiance for personal advancement. “It is disheartening to see people jump ship after securing victory on one party’s platform, only to defect for selfish gain,” she stated.
Despite the departures, the acting chairman maintained that the Labour Party remains structurally sound and continues to enjoy grassroots support from Nigerian citizens. She suggested that some defectors never genuinely embraced the party’s reform agenda, making their exit beneficial for internal unity.
“Some who left the party never honestly shared its vision, and their exit has brought clarity and strengthened internal cohesion,” Usman explained.
The Labour Party leader launched a scathing attack on the APC-led federal government, characterizing it as “rudderless and visionless” while describing the current administration as the most economically destructive in Nigeria’s history.
“The APC has failed Nigerians. The suffering of our people has never been this widespread or this severe,” she declared, pointing to widespread hardship and economic challenges facing ordinary citizens.
Usman urged Nigerians to maintain faith in the Labour Party’s capacity to provide credible opposition and eventual governance alternative. She emphasized the party’s commitment to restoring national dignity through people-centered policies that prioritize citizen welfare over political elite interests.
The acting chairman positioned her party as the primary vehicle for political change, promising that improved candidate selection would ensure future representatives genuinely reflect Labour Party values and objectives.
