The Labour Party has defended its decision to grant free nomination forms to female aspirants in the 2023 general elections, saying the move was part of deliberate policies to promote inclusivity and dismantle barriers faced by marginalised groups in politics.
The factional National Chairman of the party, Julius Abure, disclosed this on Monday when he received a delegation of the International Republican Institute at LP National Headquarters in Abuja.
The meeting, led by IRI’s Resident Programme Director, Sentell Barnes, was part of ongoing engagements to strengthen political participation for women, youths, and other underrepresented groups in Nigeria.
In his remarks, Abure highlighted the strides made by LP to open its structures to greater participation, particularly for women and youths.
He recalled how the party, ahead of the 2023 elections, waived nomination fees for female aspirants, a gesture that he said yielded tangible results.
The Edo politician also cited the election of the lawmaker representing the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Ireti Kingibe, as one of the outcomes of the policy, while also noting that several women now occupy strategic positions as state party chairpersons in Edo, Rivers, and Lagos, among others.
“The Labour Party issued free nomination forms to women aspiring for elective positions, a gesture that contributed to the election of two women into the federal legislature—one in the House of Representatives and another in the Senate.”
On youth inclusion, the LP chairman said the party had created a directorate for youth affairs with plans to transform it into a full-fledged institute for political education.
He further revealed that many young aspirants were also granted free or subsidised nomination forms, enabling them to clinch seats in various elective offices nationwide.
Abure stressed that the opposition party has equally extended this policy to less privileged candidates. “The party’s decision to provide free nomination forms to financially disadvantaged candidates allowed new entrants into the political space, many of whom went on to win elections,” he explained.
Reaffirming LP’s stance on social equity in politics, Abure assured that the party would continue to champion inclusiveness for women, youths, and Persons with Disabilities, adding that more gains are expected in the run-up to the 2027 general elections.
He also revealed plans to establish a Labour Party Democratic Institute that would focus on the training of members, agents, and aspiring politicians, as part of broader efforts to entrench democratic values in the party.
Reacting, Barnes commended the Labour Party for what he described as its “inclusive policies,” noting that IRI has been working to support Nigerian political parties through policy development workshops and advocacy initiatives aimed at promoting gender balance and diversity in leadership.
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