By Muhammad Mamman
The Labour Party’s Interim National Committee (INC), led by Senators Nenadi Usman and Darlington Nwochocha, has raised the alarm over what it describes as a hostile takeover attempt by sympathisers of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a leaked memo, the party’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, Mr Toni Akeni, voiced deep frustration with the party’s current trajectory, warning that he may resign if urgent corrective measures are not taken.
Akeni alleged that an unidentified APC mole within the Labour Party had successfully influenced the INC to withhold funding from the party’s publicity directorate. He expressed grave concern over the INC’s failure to organise ward, local government, state and zonal congresses, as well as a national convention, over a year after it was given a 90-day mandate to do so.
The internal memo, dated 9 October 2025 and titled “Pre-resignation Memo”, was addressed to both the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) and Board of Trustees (BoT).
It reads in part:
“The task given to the iNWC to conduct nationwide congresses and a national convention began after its inauguration in Umuahia on 4 September 2024. With less than two years to the 2027 general elections, the process has now dragged on for 445 days, far exceeding the original 90-day mandate.”
He revealed he had relocated from Edo State to Abuja in August 2025 to fulfil his duties but had received no financial support from the party—apart from a ₦10,000 data allowance from a fellow member.
Akeni questioned the rationale behind expecting the National Publicity Secretary to single-handedly fund nationwide media engagement, calling it unprecedented and unsustainable, particularly for an opposition party.
He continued:
“What kind of serious political party expects its image maker to fund publicity activities from personal income? Even wheelbarrow pushers are paid for their work. How can the Labour Party expect me to shoulder these costs while claiming to prepare for national congresses and a convention?”
Akeni warned that the insistence on a “zero budget” policy from a key committee member amounts to sabotage, accusing unnamed individuals of acting as proxy agents of rival parties with the intent to cripple the Labour Party from within.
He added:
“These saboteurs owe Labour Party members nationwide an explanation as to why, 445 days later, our congresses have not commenced, and why our leadership remains unrecognised by INEC—while the new ADC coalition is fully recognised and operational.”
The memo further accused certain elements within the party of deliberately stalling progress in order to defect to the APC or ADC, leaving the LP in disarray ahead of the 2027 elections.
When contacted, Akeni declined to confirm or deny the authenticity of the leaked document.
A senior party official, speaking anonymously, corroborated Akeni’s claims, stating that the lack of funding had stalled critical preparations for the party’s upcoming convention, including the advertisement of forms and guidelines for participation.
