By Jerrywright Ukwu
Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, former First Lady of Ondo State, has officially joined the Labour Party (LP) in Imo State and declared her intention to contest for the Imo East senatorial seat in the 2027 elections.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Anyanwu-Akeredolu revealed that she recently attended the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) and stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja following her move to the LP. The meeting, held on March 17, drew a large turnout, with the venue reportedly struggling to accommodate all attendees.
She commended the Labour Party’s organizational structure, noting its inclusiveness across state, local government, and ward levels. According to her, the introduction of the Deputy Chairman (Female) position is a significant step toward empowering women in politics.
“This reflects a serious commitment to inclusiveness and internal democracy,” she said. “It is a bold departure from the traditional practice of limiting women to the role of ‘Woman Leader,’ which often lacks real influence.”
Anyanwu-Akeredolu also praised the leadership of the party’s National Chairman, Senator Nenadi Usman, describing her emergence as a historic and transformative moment.
“For the first time, a major political party in Nigeria is led by a woman. This is not just symbolic—it is transformative,” she said. “It sends a powerful message to young girls that they can aspire to the highest levels of leadership.”
She urged Nigerian women to join the Labour Party in large numbers, emphasizing the importance of their participation in shaping the nation’s future.
“Women are natural nurturers, and when that instinct is applied to leadership, it can result in compassionate and people-centered governance—something Nigeria urgently needs,” she added.
The former First Lady also proposed a symbolic change to the party’s logo, which currently depicts a father, mother, and male child. She recommended the inclusion of a female child to better reflect gender equality.
“Let the Labour Party lead by example—not just structurally, but symbolically and culturally,” she said.
Anyanwu-Akeredolu previously sought the Imo East senatorial ticket under the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2023 elections but withdrew from the primaries, citing irregularities.
With her move to the Labour Party, she now sets her sights on representing Imo East in the Senate come 2027.
