Since its inception, the Labour Party (LP) has struggled, like many others, to challenge the dominance of the APC and PDP, which have consistently secured the majority of seats in the National Assembly.
However, the party experienced a significant resurgence in May 2022 when former Anambra state Governor Peter Obi joined after leaving the PDP and withdrawing from the presidential race.
Obi’s presence revitalised the Labour Party, attracting a growing number of supporters, particularly among the youth.
His influence also bolstered the ambitions of various candidates who ran for different positions under the Labour Party’s banner.
According to checks by The Nation, the Labour Party now has five senators in the upper legislative chamber, reflecting its growing influence and presence in Nigerian politics.
This is as Ezenwa Onyewuchi, senator representing Imo East and a member of the Labour Party (LP), defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Akpabio directed the sergeant-at-arms to hand Onyewuchi a new seat on the aisle of the majority lawmakers.
Below is the list of Labour Party senators in the red chambers:
1. Okechukwu Ezea – Enugu North Senatorial District
Okechukwu Ezra was born in Enugu State, Nigeria, to Theresa (née Attamah) and James Ezea from Enugu State.
He attended Community Primary School, Umachi in Enugu-Ezike, and Nsukka High School in Nsukka for his primary and secondary education respectively. Ezea proceeded to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka where he studied political science, graduating with a BSc in 1986. Ezea also had his LL.B and LL.M in law from the University of Lagos, Akoka.
2. Ireti Kingibe – FCT Senatorial
Ireti Heebah Kingibe (born 2 June 1954) in Kano State is a civil engineer and politician. She was elected member of the senate representing the FCT in the 2023 Nigerian Senate elections under the Labour Party.
She is the younger sister of Ajoke Muhammed, the wife of former Nigerian head of state Murtala Muhammed.
Kingibe’s education started at Emotan Preparatory School in 1966, after which she attended Queen’s College Lagos between 1966 and 1967 and Washington Irving High School between 1970 and 1973 for her secondary school education.
She bagged a degree in Civil engineering from the University of Minnesota between 1975 and 1980.
3. Neda Imasuen – Edo South Senatorial District
Neda Bernards Imasuen is a Senator from Edo State. He was elected in 2023 to represent Edo South senatorial district in the National Assembly.
He is a member of the Labour Party. Neda started his primary education at St. Thomas’ Catholic School, in Benin City, Edo State where he obtained his Primary School Leaving Certificate.
He proceeded to the Edo Boys High School, also Benin City and obtained the West African School Certificate. After his secondary education, he proceeded to the University of Maiduguri where he graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree.
He was certified and enrolled as a Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 1985. He graduated with a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus in 2004
4. Victor Umeh – Anambra Central Senatorial District
Victor C. Umeh, OFR is a politician who served as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and is now a Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District in the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, on the ticket of the Labour Party.
Umeh hails from Aguluzigbo, a town in the Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Umeh was born on 19 July 1962 to the late Sir Innocent Ofojekwu Umeh (KSM) and Lady Elizabeth Umeh (LSM) of Ifite village, Aguluzigbo in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria.
Born into a strict Christian family, he started his education at St. Bridget’s Primary School Aguluzigbo from where he proceeded to Bubendorff Memorial Grammar School Adazi-Nnukwu, graduating on top of his class with Division One in 1980.
The same year, he got admission into the University of Nigeria Nsukka where he read Estate Management and graduated in June 1984 with a BSc Honours in Estate Management.
5. Tony Nwoye – Anambra North Senatorial District
Dr. Tony Okechukwu Nwoye is the senator representing Anambra North Senatorial District under the Labour Party.
He was a gubernatorial candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2013 Anambra State governorship election and was also a gubernatorial candidate of the APC in the 2017 Anambra State governorship election.
