Image placeholder

WafricNews – May 20, 2025

Awka, Nigeria – Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially recognised Chief George Moghalu as the Labour Party (LP) candidate for the upcoming Anambra governorship election scheduled for November 8, 2025, siding with the faction loyal to Julius Abure, the embattled National Chairman of the party.

Moghalu clinched the ticket at a primary election held on April 5 in Awka, securing a decisive 573 votes to defeat his only challenger, John Nwosu, who received just 19 votes. The process, supervised by INEC and election observers, saw 601 accredited delegates out of 649, with 592 valid votes cast.

The LP, through its verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, hailed Moghalu’s victory, calling it “historic” and a sign of the party’s growing momentum. The statement also praised Abure’s leadership, declaring:

“The Labour Party is marching forward with strength and determination. EluPee forward ever, backward never!”

Party Crisis Deepens

Despite the public celebration, the primary’s outcome has further widened deep cracks within the Labour Party. A rival faction within the party conducted a parallel primary on April 10, producing Jude Umenajiego, a sitting state lawmaker, as its own candidate.

Umenajiego, representing Onitsha South Two in the Anambra State House of Assembly, polled 180 votes, again defeating John Nwosu, who this time received 69 votes. Umenajiego wasted no time in naming his running mate—Henry Mbachu, a fellow legislator representing Awka South 1.

The faction’s acting electoral chairman, Sunday Okereke, declared Umenajiego the “duly elected candidate” in line with party rules and Nigeria’s Electoral Act 2022. In his acceptance speech, Umenajiego claimed legitimacy and pledged to make Anambra a model for the LP’s national transformation agenda.

“I am the validly elected candidate. Any other person is not recognised by the true leadership of the Labour Party,” Umenajiego stated.

Behind the Factional War: Obi vs. Otti?

The party’s internal rift, long simmering beneath the surface, was publicly acknowledged by Dr. Barry Johnson, the LP’s National Deputy Youth Leader. Speaking to reporters, Johnson confirmed that George Moghalu remains the party’s only legitimate candidate and placed the blame for the crisis squarely on a power struggle between LP presidential candidate Peter Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti.

According to Johnson, the Labour Party is now split into three power blocs:

  • The Abure camp, made up of the National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Council (NEC);

  • The Obi camp, including the Obedient Movement and Nenadi Usman group;

  • The Otti camp, allegedly backed by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and sympathetic APC figures with an eye on the 2027 governorship ticket and a potential 2031 vice-presidential run.

“We were keeping this from the media to avoid public embarrassment, but it’s time the public knows what’s tearing us apart. The real fight is between Obi and Otti over control of the party going into 2027,” Johnson revealed.

Despite the divisions, Johnson was unequivocal:

“INEC has spoken. Our candidate is George Moghalu, and he represents the leadership under Julius Abure.”

Looking Ahead

With INEC’s recognition now officially tipping the balance, the Anambra governorship race is shaping up to be a high-stakes test of unity—or further fragmentation—within Nigeria’s fast-rising Labour Party. For many political watchers, the outcome in Anambra could offer early clues about the future direction of the LP and its readiness for the national stage come 2027.


By WafricNews Desk.

| Like

Comment


To post a comment, you have to login first
Login

No Comments Yet...