NEWS
Labour Party Shifts Nationwide Primaries to May 30 Over Sallah, Governors’ Anniversary Observance
The Labour Party has officially rescheduled all its primary elections across Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory to Saturday, May 30, 2026, citing the need to avoid clashes with the Id el Kabir celebrations and the May 29 governors’ swearing-in anniversary.
In a formal notice addressed to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission dated May 20, 2026, the party announced that the presidential, governorship, National Assembly, and State House of Assembly primaries will now hold simultaneously nationwide.
The development marks a major adjustment to the party’s earlier timetable, which had fixed the governorship and State House of Assembly primaries for May 27, while the presidential and National Assembly primaries were initially slated for May 29.
According to the notice jointly signed by the National Chairman of the party, Nenadi Usman, and the National Secretary, Iheanacho Obioma, the decision followed an internal review of electoral timelines and national activities scheduled within the same period.
The party explained that the adjustment became necessary due to the overlap with the Id el Kabir holiday, one of the most significant Islamic celebrations observed across the country, as well as the symbolic importance of May 29, which commemorates the inauguration anniversary of state governors in Nigeria.
Labour Party leadership stated that the move was taken in the interest of national unity, religious respect, and the overall stability of the party’s electoral process ahead of the 2026 political season.
The party further assured INEC that the rescheduling complies fully with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, the commission’s regulations and guidelines for political parties, as well as the Labour Party Electoral Guidelines governing the 2026 primary elections.
Political observers believe the decision could help the party achieve smoother coordination of its nationwide primaries while allowing members and delegates across the federation to fully participate without disruptions linked to public holidays and state activities.
With the new date now fixed for May 30, attention is expected to shift toward the emergence of candidates who will fly the party’s flag in the forthcoming elections across 
the federation.