A quiet but significant moment unfolded at the Labour Party’s National Secretariat as officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) arrived — not for routine observation, but for verification.
Led by Mansur Hassan, the team made their mission clear from the start:
“We are INEC monitors… we are here to monitor and correct things, not observe.”
Their task was detailed and thorough — to confirm the party’s leadership structure, membership records, and even the legal status of the building it operates from.
From checking the composition of the National Working Committee to reviewing tenancy documents and staff presence, the exercise reflects a deeper scrutiny of the party’s internal structure.
For a party that has recently gone through leadership disputes, this visit carries weight.
Welcoming the delegation, interim National Chairman Nenadi Usman struck a reconciliatory tone, acknowledging the party’s turbulent past while expressing confidence in its future.
“The party is not about me… we need to build a strong foundation,” she said.
She also used the moment to extend an olive branch to aggrieved members:
“Let’s put aside all that has been bothering us… leadership will come and go, the party will remain.”
Her message was clear — unity is now the priority.
As documents were handed over and officials moved through offices and meeting rooms, the exercise became more than a routine check.
It is part of a broader effort to restore credibility, rebuild structure, and position the party for what lies ahead.
With congresses around the corner and eyes on future elections, the outcome of this verification may quietly shape the direction of the Labour Party.
And for INEC, the message is equally clear:
Before politics comes structure — and structure must be verified.