LP Leadership Crisis Deepens Over Governorship Candidacy For Anambra Election

The ongoing leadership crisis within the Labour Party (LP) has taken a new twist, as the faction loyal to Abia State Governor, Alex Otti and the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has vehemently opposed the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) recognition of George Moghalu as the party’s governorship candidate for the upcoming Anambra State election on November 8, 2025.

Naijaonpoint reports that the factional leader of the Labour Party, Lamidi Apapa, in a chat with Punch, urged Obi to rally behind Moghalu, stressing that the party risks failure at the polls if it continues in a divided state.

Apapa warned that disunity within the party was a dangerous development and called for a focus on unity rather than personal or factional interests.

“Heading into such a crucial election without a united front will spell doom for the party in Anambra,” Apapa warned.

His call for unity comes after INEC officially published Moghalu’s name as the LP’s recognised governorship candidate, a decision that many see as a recognition of Julius Abure’s leadership of the party.

Moghalu, a former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, secured his candidacy by winning the LP’s primary on April 5, 2025, at Finotel Hotel, Awka.

He defeated his lone rival, John Nwosu, by polling 573 votes out of 601 accredited delegates. The process was overseen by INEC officials and election observers, with 592 valid votes cast.

However, the faction led by Obi and Governor Otti, operating under the Nenadi Usman-led National Caretaker Committee, conducted a parallel primary that produced a member of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Jude Umenajiego, as its own candidate. Umenajiego secured 180 votes, defeating Nwosu, who polled 69 votes.

In response to concerns over the legitimacy of Moghalu’s candidacy, Apapa emphasized that peace within the party should be the priority.

He argued that the party must focus on winning the November 8 election rather than engaging in internal disputes that could give the impression that LP is unprepared.

“Winning the November 8 poll ought to be our goal at the moment, instead of needless bickering that gives people the wrong notion that LP is not prepared,” Apapa stated.

He also urged Obi to set aside factional disputes and support Moghalu, noting that both of them are from Anambra and should present a united front against incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

“Prior to the Supreme Court judgment, I don’t think anybody would have raised an eyebrow if Abure announced him or anybody as the party candidate. There is a need to always obey the rule of law instead of contesting it. This is a political issue,” Apapa argued.

Apapa further called on Obi to mediate and work with Moghalu if INEC recognizes him. “Peter Obi and Moghalu are both from Anambra. Why not call the two parties and resolve the issue?” he asked, stressing that now is not the time for legal battles or division.

“The election is very close. If we are truly out to serve the people, this is not the time to debate or run to court. Don’t forget we have other party candidates, including the incumbent Governor Soludo, to contend with. If you have a divided house before the poll, how do you hope to defeat those with a united front?” Apapa questioned.

Akeni Rejects INEC’s Recognition Of Moghalu

The spokesperson for the Usman-led faction, Tony Akeni, rejected INEC’s recognition of Moghalu, labelling it part of a broader scheme to undermine the Labour Party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“Everybody who is somebody in that committee is tackling INEC eyeball to eyeball on that matter because it is part of the grand plot to frustrate Labour Party out of 2027. So we are working on it,” Akeni told Punch.

In response, an emergency meeting of the Labour Party National Executive Committee (NEC) was convened, with another special NEC session scheduled for Wednesday under Nenadi Usman’s leadership.