Labour party Names Philip Agbese as Convention Publicity Chairman

The Labour Party has appointed the Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, as Chairman of the Media and Publicity Subcommittee for its forthcoming national convention.

The appointment was contained in a comprehensive convention planning committee list released by the Chairman of the Convention Planning Committee, Hon. Ginger Onwusibe, who represents Isiala Ngwa South and Isiala Ngwa North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

The Labour Party had initially scheduled its national convention for April 11, 2026, but later rescheduled the event to hold on April 28, 2026, in Umuahia, Abia State. The postponement was necessitated by the need to allow broader participation in the party’s ongoing membership re-registration exercise.

In a statement co-signed by the convention secretary, Comr. Salisu Mohammad, the party explained that Agbese’s appointment and those of others to serve in various subcommittees were in line with the decision of the national leadership and in accordance with the party’s constitution and extant laws.

The statement read: “Sequel to the decision of the National Leadership of our great Party to conduct the 2026 Elective Congresses and National Convention, and pursuant to the extant resolutions of the National Executive Council of the Party, the Labour Party Constitution 2019 as amended and the Guidelines for the 2026 Congresses and National Convention, the leadership of the Convention and Congresses Central Committee, acting under the authority of the NEC and in exercise of its vested mandates, has constituted the following subcommittees and approved their membership composition.”

Agbese and members of his committee are expected to publicise convention activities nationally and internationally, manage press accreditations and media relations in liaison with the accreditation committee, and coordinate live broadcast, streaming, information centre, and customised live interview stage.

The media and publicity subcommittee is also tasked with handling social media communication and engagement campaigns, documenting convention proceedings in collaboration with rapporteurs and the programmes committee, as well as performing any other duties assigned in support of the subcommittee’s mandate for the success and wider propagation of the proposed national convention.

Others appointed to serve on the subcommittee with Agbese include Hon. Ekeoma Ferdinand as Alternate Chairman, Hon. Prince Okey, Hon. Dodo Okafor, Hon. Enemenka, Mrs. Victoria Kalu, Barr. Agnes Lolo, Jesse Ukachukwu, Comr. Dr. Muttaqa Yushau, Comr. Lanre Fadahunsi, Ure Abazie, and Dr. Ayu Olowu. Barr. Ken Asogwa and Hon. Ukoha Njoku will serve as Secretary and Assistant Secretary, respectively.

Agbese, who represents Ado, Okpokwu, and Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State, had announced his official defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress to the Labour Party in March 2026. He cited the protracted crises in the Benue APC, which have left stakeholders irreconcilable, as the major reason for leaving the party, while reiterating his continuous support for the Renewed Hope transformative agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Since his defection, the Benue State chapter of the Labour Party has declared Agbese as the undisputed leader of the party in the state, citing his position as the highest elected political office holder from the state under the Labour Party banner.