The Labour Party (LP) has emphasised the need for inclusivity and gender balance in its ongoing congresses.

The interim National Chairman, Senator Esther Nenadi Usman, who participated in the exercise in her ward at Jere South Ward, Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State, called for increased female participation in party leadership and administration.

Senator Usman, in a statement by her Senior Special Adviser (Media), Ken Asogwa, commended the peaceful conduct of the exercise.

“This marks the commencement of our congresses with the ward level,” she stated, explaining that the exercise, which was held in the same venue for Jere North and Jere South, is customary for the people of the two wards.

Usman commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for deploying its officials to monitor the congress across the country.

“Reports from across the federation indicate that the exercise was largely peaceful and well-organised, with INEC playing a commendable role through timely monitoring,” she stated.

According to her, with the successful completion of the ward congress, attention would not shift to the next phase, which is local government congresses.

The exercise was conducted on Thursday in the 8,809 political wards in Nigeria.

The elected ward executives are expected to participate in the forthcoming local government congresses scheduled for April 24, the state congresses on April 25, and the national convention on April 28.