Officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) visited the National Secretariat of the Labour Party (LP) on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, as part of a routine nationwide verification exercise of political party structures. 

The visit is aimed at ensuring that registered parties continue to meet the constitutional and regulatory requirements necessary to maintain their status as active political entities in Nigeria.

The verification team, led by senior directors from the Commission’s Department of Election and Party Monitoring (EPM), focused on auditing the party’s administrative records, the presence of its national executive officers, and the suitability of its headquarters.

This exercise comes at a crucial time as the political landscape shifts toward the upcoming 2026 off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States.

During the visit, the INEC delegation was received by members of the Labour Party National Working Committee (NWC), currently led by Senator Nenadi Usman. The officials meticulously reviewed the party’s membership register and financial records, consistent with the Commission’s recent mandate requiring all political parties to update and submit their registers in line with the Electoral Act.

Party leadership welcomed the visit, describing it as a necessary step for democratic transparency. “We have nothing to hide and remain fully compliant with all INEC guidelines,” a party spokesperson stated. The verification exercise is part of a broader move by the Commission to sanitize the political space, ensuring that parties are not merely “briefcase organizations” but functional institutions with physical presences and legitimate memberships across the federation.

As of early 2026, the Labour Party has been working to resolve internal leadership transitions following court-ordered changes to its national executive lineup. Today’s inspection is expected to culminate in a formal report that will confirm whether the party remains in good standing ahead of the next electoral cycle.