…set to begin issuance of Certificates of Return
By Kehinde Jacobs
The Labour Party has announced plans to convene its National Executive Committee on Thursday, June 11, 2026, described as “strategic” to the party’s preparations for the 2027 general elections. The NEC session will focus on ratifying results from the party’s nationwide primary elections and approving the list of candidates for submission to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
According to a press statement released Wednesday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Eluma Asogwa, the meeting is being called “in compliance with Article 28 of the Labour Party Constitution 2026”. The statement said the party is notifying all relevant stakeholders of the development ahead of the crucial session.
“In compliance with Article 28 of the Labour Party Constitution 2026, the Labour Party wishes to notify its statutory members of the National Executive Committee (NEC), candidates who emerged from the recent primary elections conducted nationwide, all organs of the party, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), members of the media, and the general public that it will convene a meeting of its National Executive Committee on Thursday, 11th June 2026,” the statement read.
Party insiders say the June 11 meeting marks a key milestone for the Labour Party, which is seeking to consolidate gains made during the 2023 elections and expand its footprint across Nigeria. The NEC, as the party’s highest decision-making body between conventions, has the constitutional responsibility to confirm candidates before their names are forwarded to INEC as required by the Electoral Act 2022.
The Labour Party said the agenda for the Abuja meeting will be narrow but decisive. The central item is the formal ratification of primary results conducted across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory over the past month.
“The meeting is expected to ratify the results of the party’s primary elections conducted across the country and approve the submission of candidates that emerged from the exercise to INEC in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act and the party’s constitution,” Asogwa stated.
Political observers note that ratification by NEC is the final internal hurdle before candidates become the party’s official flagbearers. Once ratified, the party is legally bound to submit the list of candidates and their affidavits to INEC within the timelines set by the electoral umpire for the 2027 polls.
The announcement also brings clarity for thousands of aspirants who contested the Labour Party primaries for various offices. The party confirmed that successful candidates will begin receiving formal recognition immediately after NEC’s approval.
“The party also wishes to inform all successful candidates from the primaries that the presentation of Certificates of Return to candidates for the offices of President, Governor, Senate, and House of Representatives shall commence immediately after the ratification of the primary election results by the NEC,” the statement added.
The Certificates of Return are symbolic documents issued by political parties to candidates who emerge from primaries. They serve as proof of nomination and are usually presented at party headquarters in Abuja. For Labour Party candidates, the issuance is expected to kick off a new phase of campaigning and grassroots mobilization.
Party officials stressed the timing of the NEC meeting, pointing out that it is the first such gathering since the Labour Party held its National Convention and concluded nominations for the 2027 cycle. The leadership framed the session as more than a procedural formality, linking it directly to the party’s election strategy.
“The Labour Party further reiterates that this meeting, being the first NEC session following its recent successful National Convention and the nomination of candidates for the 2027 general elections, is of strategic importance to the party’s overall preparations and mobilisation efforts ahead of the forthcoming elections,” Asogwa said.
Analysts say the June 11 NEC meeting will test the party’s internal cohesion after sometimes contentious primaries in several states. Like other major parties, Labour Party witnessed disputes and parallel primaries in a few constituencies. Ratification by NEC is expected to settle those issues and present a united front ahead of INEC’s candidate submission window.
The notice also signals the party’s intent to meet INEC’s regulatory requirements early. The Electoral Act mandates political parties to conduct primaries and submit names of candidates within specific periods before general elections. By scheduling NEC for June 11, 2026, Labour Party appears to be positioning itself ahead of the deadline curve.
The notification has been sent to INEC, statutory NEC members, all party organs, and the media, in line with the party’s constitution and democratic practices. INEC’s presence at party NEC meetings is not required, but the commission will receive the final list of candidates once approved.
With few months to the 2027 general elections, the Labour Party is moving quickly to lock in its candidates and shift focus to voter mobilization. The presentation of Certificates of Return is expected to energize the party’s base, especially among youths and first-time voters who formed a significant part of its support in 2023.
As the June 11 date approaches, all eyes will be on the NEC meeting and the list of candidates that emerge from it. For now, the party’s message is one of organization and readiness.
The Labour Party’s NEC meeting will be closely watched by political stakeholders, civil society groups, and voters interested in how Nigeria’s third-force party is structuring itself for the next electoral cycle. The ratification and issuance of Certificates of Return are expected to set the tone for the party’s campaign strategy in the months ahead.
