The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, has unveiled plans to establish a Labour Party Democratic Institute to train members, party agents, and aspiring politicians, as part of efforts to entrench democratic values and deepen political education.
Abure disclosed this on Monday when he received a delegation of the International Republican Institute, led by its Resident Programme Director, Sentell Barnes, at the LP National Headquarters in Abuja.
He said the proposed institute would serve as a hub for political training and civic engagement, equipping party members and young politicians with the skills needed to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s democracy.
According to him, the initiative builds on the party’s existing policies aimed at inclusivity, such as granting free or subsidised nomination forms to female aspirants, youths, and financially disadvantaged candidates during the 2023 general elections.
The LP chairman recalled how the gesture yielded results, including the election of Senator Ireti Kingibe in the Federal Capital Territory and the emergence of women as state party chairpersons in Edo, Rivers, and Lagos.
“The Labour Party is committed to dismantling barriers to political participation and promoting social equity,” Abure said. “The proposed Democratic Institute will institutionalise this commitment through structured training and mentorship.”
Barnes, in his response, commended the Labour Party for its inclusivity drive, noting that IRI will continue to support Nigerian political parties with policy development workshops and advocacy for gender balance and diversity in leadership.
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