Former Ondo State First Lady, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, has formally joined the Labour Party (LP) in Imo State, declaring her intention to contest for the Imo East senatorial seat ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement shared via her Facebook page, Akeredolu disclosed that she recently attended the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) and stakeholders’ meeting held in Abuja on March 17, describing the gathering as massively attended, with the venue struggling to accommodate participants.
She commended the party’s organisational structure, particularly its emphasis on inclusiveness and internal democracy, noting that the introduction of positions such as Deputy Chairman (Female) reflects a deliberate effort to promote women’s participation in leadership. According to her, such reforms signal a shift from tokenism to meaningful representation for women in Nigerian politics.
Akeredolu also hailed the leadership of Nenadi Usman, describing the emergence of a female national chairman as a “transformational” moment for the party and a source of inspiration for women and girls across the country.
Reiterating her political ambition, the former first lady confirmed plans to contest the Imo East Senatorial District seat—also known as the Owerri Zone—in the 2027 elections. The district comprises several local government areas including Owerri Municipal, Owerri West, Mbaitoli, and others.
Her latest move marks a significant political shift, having previously sought the same senatorial ticket under the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2023 elections but later withdrew from the primary citing irregularities.
Political observers note that her defection comes amid renewed mobilisation within the Labour Party as it prepares for the 2027 elections, with the party already outlining timelines for primaries and internal restructuring following recent leadership changes.
Akeredolu, a long-time advocate for women’s empowerment and grassroots development, called on Nigerian women to join the Labour Party in large numbers, stressing that increased female participation in politics is critical to achieving people-centred governance in the country.