Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially recognised Chief George Moghalu as the Labour Party’s governorship candidate for the November 8, 2025, Anambra State election, in a move that affirms the authority of Barrister Julius Abure as the party’s National Chairman.
Moghalu clinched the party’s ticket during a primary election held on April 5 at Finotel Hotel, Awka, where he secured 573 votes, comfortably defeating his only opponent, John Nwosu, who garnered 19 votes. The election, monitored by INEC and other observers, recorded 649 delegates, with 601 accredited, 592 valid votes, and five invalid ballots.
The recognition of Moghalu’s candidacy by INEC effectively nullifies the parallel primary conducted on April 10 by a rival Labour Party faction that produced Jude Umenajiego, a serving member of the Anambra State House of Assembly representing Onitsha South Two. Umenajiego scored 180 votes to beat Nwosu again, who received 69 votes. He had named Henry Mbachu as his running mate.
Despite the tension, the Labour Party, through its official X handle, celebrated Moghalu’s emergence:
“Heartfelt congratulations to Chief Dr. George Moghalu on this historic victory! May your leadership and vision propel Anambra State to new heights… The Labour Party is marching forward with strength and determination. EluPee forward ever, backward never!”
However, the dual primaries have exposed deeper cracks within the Labour Party. According to Dr. Barry Johnson, the National Deputy Youth Leader of the party, the root of the crisis lies in a power struggle between LP presidential candidate Peter Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Johnson disclosed that the party has effectively split into three major factions:
- The Abure camp, backed by the National Working Committee and National Executive Council.
- The Obi camp, supported by the Obedient Movement and Nenadi Usman’s group.
- The Otti camp, allegedly backed by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and certain All Progressives Congress (APC) members eyeing 2027 and 2031 ambitions.
“We were hiding this information from the media for long because we didn’t want to wash our dirty linens in public,” Johnson said. “But now, we can tell the public that the rift in the LP is due to a power tussle between Obi and Otti for control of the party ahead of 2027.”
He reiterated that George Moghalu remains the Labour Party’s only legitimate candidate for the upcoming Anambra governorship election under the Abure-led leadership.
Stay tuned to 9am News Nigeria for more Breaking News, Business News, Sports updates And Entertainment Gists.
