By William Ochonu
In global history, there are women who have made indelible marks of grace on the solid rock of time. If they were from the Bible, they are qualified as virtuous women, whose values are more than rubies.
Politically, they are Amazons, whose qualities transcend their feminine attributes and melt the iron pillars of opposition, leading heroically where even men and sometimes angels fear to tread. Women like Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore, Ruth Bader Ginsburg of the USA, Angela Merkel of Germany, Jacinda Ardern of New Zealand, Margaret Thatcher of the UK, and Nenadi Usman of Nigeria.
Women who have distinguished themselves as rare epitomes of strategic prioritization, courage, resilience, visionary thinking and leadership. Indeed, Senator Nenadi Usman is actively working to transform the Labour Party into a party that will serve Nigerians and lead them into tangible prosperity through its economic policies and strategic planning.
A woman of deep empathy and social activism, she is touched by the plight of refugees and the thousands of displaced persons, and is willing to lead her party into taking tough decisions on the refugees and displaced persons crisis in Nigeria.
Her level of transparency is clearly communicated on key national issues, and her compassionate, motherly but frank responses resonate in the hearts of citizens and connect directly with their concerns.
A virtuous woman, her prudent management of funds is exemplary, winning the hearts and minds of all members of the party. As the Interim National Chairperson of the Labour Party, she is decisively engaged in ensuring that her party reclaims its position in Nigerian politics ahead of the 2027 election, and retrieves it from hawkers and desperados like Julius Abure and his co-travellers.
Given her deep experience and focused nature as former Minister of Finance, her sterling leadership qualities have been brought to bear on her daily undertakings. The reinforcement of her position by the court ruling recognising her as the legitimate Leader of the party, and the further acknowledgment by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), did not puff her up, neither did it make her lose track of her service to the party and the citizens of the country.
Rather, she sees it as a call to duty, committing herself head-on to party unity, stability and rebuilding.
A strategic planner, she is poised with the agenda to rebuild and rebrand the party, realigning its values to meet core societal needs, and creatively enhancing its appeal to younger voters.
She has also prioritised internal democracy within the Labour Party, ensuring that under her watch, party members are loyal, disciplined and transparently accountable both as members and leaders, and that elections into all offices are conducted transparently with inclusive decision-making processes. Acknowledging the strength of the people in all democracies, Senator Nenadi has deployed strategy into grassroots mobilisation, targeting an ambitious 10 million new members.
A positive communicator who believes in more actions than words, she has promised to entrench transparent party congresses from the ward, local government, and state levels, ensuring leadership renewal that will bring about a formidable, time-tested and credible national convention which will elect substantive leaders of the party.
Focused on these agendas, her efforts at strengthening the party are all targeted at a strategy that will foster grassroots lobbying and mobilisation through strengthening local structures by engaging with communities and addressing their concerns.
She has also decided to ensure a clear Manifesto that is dynamic and people-centric, accommodating the key issues of economy, security, and governance, for according to her, “the people have to know and be certain of the value they stand to derive in exchange for their votes”. Senator Usman believes that only with strong leadership, chosen out of broad appeal, integrity, and a clear vision can the party emerge victorious and regain the confidence of Nigerians.
A realist, the Interim National Leader strongly believes in the effectiveness of collaborative effort and coalition building, and has therefore entrenched it as a doctrine as the party forms alliances with like-minded opposition parties or groups to increase its influence.
Acknowledging the strength and imperatives of youths in nation building, Senator Nenadi has prioritised engagement with youths, especially leveraging social media, and fostering the involvement of young leaders in decision-making.
Over time, Senator Usman has consistently maintained a life of accountability and service, demonstrating transparency, accountability, and responsiveness to citizens’ needs. Senator Nenadi’s proficiency in party management is attested by many. The innovative Labour Party’s focus on grassroots mobilisation and membership drive, and her drive for strategic alliances and inclusive leadership is adjudged the best practice in global democracy, fostering peace and effective collective governance.
Her commitment to ensuring that the party is realigned has led to several reforms which have resulted in increased member engagement and ownership, a more robust representative leadership, reduced internal conflicts, and enhanced credibility and public trust, attracting several converts, including notable and time-tested members of the National Assembly. There is no doubt that with Senator Usman’s drive and strategic commitment, the Labour Party will soon break barriers, challenge norms, and inspire future generations, leaving a credible and indelible mark on the world political landscape.
Such as was left by Sirimavo Bandaranaike, who was the world’s first female Prime Minister, leading Sri Lanka through turbulent times and focusing on socialist economic reforms. She implemented policies like nationalising key industries, promoting Buddhism, and introducing Sinhalese as the official language.
Also, Indira Gandhi, India’s first and only female Prime Minister, who implemented significant economic and social reforms, including the Green Revolution, and led India through the 1971 war with Pakistan, playing a crucial role in Bangladesh’s independence. Need we mention Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor from 2005 to 2021, known for her pragmatic leadership and significant influence on European politics.
She was able to navigate crises like the 2008 financial crash, the 2015 migrant crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Not forgetting Jacinda Ardern, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, who ruled from 2017 to 2023, and was laudably recognised for her compassionate response to crises like the Christchurch mosque shootings and the COVID-19 pandemic. It is necessary to mention also Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa’s first elected female head of state, leading Liberia from 2006 to 2018 and promoting women’s rights and economic growth, and Margaret Thatcher, the UK’s first female Prime Minister, serving from 1979 to 1990, who implemented radical economic changes.
Surely, Senator Nenadi Usman is certainly becoming Nigeria’s courageous Golda Meir, who was Israel’s first and only female Prime Minister, leading the country from 1969 to 1974 and playing a key role in international diplomacy — only this time, winning the hearts and conscience of Nigerians and extricating the Labour Party from the iron grips of Julius Abure and his co-travellers.
Ochonu is a member of the Labour Party writing from Makurdi, Benue State.
