Following the emergence of George Moghalu as the Labour Party (LP) flag bearer in the off-cycle governorship election scheduled for November 8 in Anambra State, the party is set to test its popularity again. Deputy Political Editor RAYMOND MORDI examines the factors that may make or mar its chances in the election
As the off-cycle governorship election in Anambra approaches, there is considerable speculation about Peter Obi’s potential involvement and whether his influence could secure a victory for the Labour Party (LP). The performance of the LP presidential candidate in the last general election has raised the party’s hope in the election scheduled for November 8. Although Obi did not win the presidency, his candidacy significantly raised the party’s profile and galvanised a substantial support base, particularly among the youth. For instance, in Anambra, the LP secured two of the three senatorial seats, five out of the 11 House of Representatives seats and eight of the 30 available seats in the state House of Assembly.
Therefore, Obi’s influence in Anambra politics is undeniable. His tenure as governor between 2006 and 2014 set precedents in governance that continue to shape the state’s political discourse. His transition to the LP and subsequent national exposure has further solidified his status as a significant political figure.
Nevertheless, the party’s performance in Anambra in the 2023 election could be attributed to the bandwagon effect of Obi’s involvement as the LP presidential candidate. So, it could be a different ballgame in a local election such as the forthcoming governorship. As a result, translating Obi’s influence into an electoral victory for the LP presents challenges.
Given the competitive political landscape in Anambra, the November 8 governorship election is shaping up to be a pivotal contest among the three major political parties participating in it. The parties are the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Labour Party (LP). The influence of the former ruling party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has waned in Anambra to the extent that it is not regarded as a major contender in the forthcoming election.
Over the years, the Anambra governorship has attracted attention because it is like a dress rehearsal before the four-year general election cycle across the country. Two years before the next general election in 2027, the LP faces a litmus test in this year’s Anambra governorship. The party is experiencing internal challenges ahead of this year’s governorship election.
As a result, though the LP had gained momentum in Anambra, notably influenced by Obi’s association, its chances in the upcoming election have been weakened by several factors. This includes the disunity within the fold. Observers say there is a lack of cohesion within the party ahead of the contest, which may prevent it from presenting a united front. Following its success in the 2023 general election, it has faced numerous internal crises that have weakened it. This led to the exodus of many party chieftains in Anambra to other parties.
The departure of key figures, such as Valentine Ozigbo, ahead of the primary due to perceptions of favouritism has further complicated the party’s internal dynamics. Ozogbo’s decision to dump the party was predicated on allegations of betrayals and manipulations by the trio of Tony Nwoye, who represents Anambra North at the National Assembly on the LP platform; former aide to Peter Obi, Oseloka Obaze; and the LP National Organising Secretary, Chief Clement Ojukwu.
As a result, the circumstances surrounding the emergence of the party’s candidate could have been better managed since candidate selection is a crucial factor in every election. A source in Awka, the Anambra State capital, told our reporter that Ozigbo’s exit in February threw the party into disarray. His departure, he added, triggered a collapse of the power blocs that drove him out of the fold.
Before his exit, Ozigbo was widely acknowledged as the most formidable aspirant who could secure the ticket with ease, given his credentials in politics, support base, and network of backers and because he hails from Anambra South, which is favoured by zoning to produce the governor. He was the first runner-up in the 2021 governorship election when he contested as the PDP candidate.
A key turning point, our source added, was the party’s refusal to zone the governorship ticket to Anambra South. This move would have naturally cleared the path for Ozigbo and disqualified aspirants from other zones. Observers believe that development, coupled with the unending leadership crisis at the state and national level, was the final reason that compelled him to leave the fold. Ironically, according to our source, after Ozigbo left the party, those who worked against him fell apart, and the governorship ticket was eventually zoned to Anambra South.
The LP further complicated its case when its National Working Committee (NWC) declined to sell nomination forms to Senator Nwoye to vie for the party’s ticket. This decision led to allegations that the party’s leadership was backing the re-election of incumbent Governor Soludo of the APGA. Critics said the development was a setback for the LP’s ambition to win the November election.
Besides, there was little or no competition in the LP primary, which took place last Saturday, as it was contested by only two aspirants, Chief George Moghalu and Sir John Nwosu. Nwosu has, however, described the primary as a charade, adding that no contest took place. In a press release, the Director General of John Nwosu Campaign Organization, Ben Chuks Nwosu, said his principal never took part in the primary. He said votes were merely allocated to him to legitimise the process, as Nwosu had stepped down before the exercise when irregularities were noticed in the delegates’ list.
Be that as it may, the zoning of the ticket to Anambra South eventually paved the way for Moghalu, the former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), to clinch the ticket. Moghalu, from Nnewi, is relatively new to the party; he resigned from the APC on August 26, 2024, and joined the LP on October 1, 2024.
Afam Ilouno, a lawyer and LP chieftain in Anambra, said the party’s internal challenges may hinder its ability to present a united front ahead of the election. He said that though Moghalu has considerable experience in Anambra politics, he may not be able to galvanise the support of many party leaders and supporters to back his candidacy because he is relatively new within the LP.
He added: “As a new member of the LP, he needs to work extremely hard to make the party return to the height it attained in 2023. Again, he needs to get the backing of the party’s former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to support his campaign because Anambra is his primary constituency. Nothing matters more in Nigerian politics than a politician’s local base.”
Given the strength of the opposition that the LP would face during the election, it needs to put its house in order ahead of the contest to live up to expectations. The state’s political landscape is competitive. Incumbent Governor Soludo has secured the APGA ticket for his re-election bid. The APC has also positioned itself to challenge the ruling APGA.
However, Anambra remains the stronghold of the APGA. The party’s incumbency gives it the advantage of showcasing tangible achievements under Soludo’s administration. The party’s confidence is bolstered by the belief that the opposition lacks the cohesion and credibility to mount a significant challenge.
Besides, the APC is the only party demonstrating significant intent to challenge APGA’s dominance in Anambra. The party is positioning itself as a viable alternative, capitalizing on the influx of prominent politicians from other parties. The APC primary was fiercely contested by seven aspirants, including Valentine Ozigbo, Obiora Okonkwo, Johnbosco Onunkwo and Nicholas Ukachukwu, who eventually secured the ticket.
The former founding member of Anambra PDP has been affiliated with multiple political parties over the years and served as a member of the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2003, representing the Bwari Abuja Municipal Federal Constituency. In January this year, he left the APGA and joined the APC, declaring his intention to contest the Anambra governorship.
Ilouno, who was a member of the Media and Publicity Committee of the LP Presidential Campaign Council during the last general election, said the APC is determined to consolidate its entry into the Southeast by winning Anambra in this year’s election and bringing the number of states it controls in the region to three. He told our reporter on the phone: “The APC all of a sudden is trying to have a firm grip in the Southeast, especially Anambra State. The party feels that Anambra State is the heartbeat of Igboland and that any party that takes the state has taken a major part of Igboland. Secondly, the party wants to dominate the state that produced many prominent Nigerians like the late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, the late Chuba Okadigbo, and the late Chukwuemeka Odimegwu-Ojukwu.
“Sadly, the PDP, which used to be the governing party in Anambra, has gone from being the number one party to being non-existent. As we speak, the PDP does not have a candidate for the forthcoming election.
“So, the current scenario favours the incumbent ruling APGA candidate, Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, who all of a sudden is doing well in the developmental process, unlike his lukewarm attitude at the outset that infuriated many people. However, they are seeing a better side of him now and are prepared to give him another chance. Soludo is the man to beat in this election, and it is his election to lose.”
The Anambra LP chieftain said winning the election would be an uphill task for his party, with the crisis currently tearing it apart. He added: “The APC has a candidate capable of challenging the ruling party, but the odds favour the APGA. For one thing, sentiments are in the ruling party’s favour, and for another, Governor Soludo is doing well now.
“There would be a battle, though. However, the APGA is in a pole position to win the contest. The APC and the LP will make their mark. Incidentally, all three major candidates are from Anambra South. This is because we have embraced zoning.”
Ilouno said it is not a good omen that Dr Nwoye and his Anambra Central counterpart, Chief Victor Umeh, who was elected on the platform of the LP, have conveniently remained silent over the crisis rocking the party, particularly in Anambra. He added, “For them to secure their re-election as federal lawmakers in 2027 on the ticket of the LP, they must make sure that the party makes an impact in the forthcoming off-cycle governorship election in Anambra State. This is because the two of them are the highest-ranking LP chieftains in the state; they need to put in some work between now and November 8 to show that the LP is still a force to reckon with in Anambra.”
On the recent Supreme Court judgment on the LP, Ilouno said politicians are trying to interpret it to favour their selfish agenda. His words: “The problem we now have in Nigeria is that when the Supreme Court or any court gives an order, politicians will start interpreting the judgment to suit their purpose.
“The recent Supreme Court judgment on the LP was categorical the leadership of a party is an internal affair of the party. It also affirmed that the Court of Appeal, which had earlier ruled on the matter, had no jurisdiction to entertain it. Based on that, the Supreme Court annulled the judgment of the Court of Appeal that had recognised Julius Abure as the party’s national chairman. So, ipso facto, it is clear that Abure is no longer the LP’s national chairman.
“However, we have seen snippets flying here and there, trying to change the interpretation of the Supreme Court judgment; they are trying to input other meanings to the judgment. The judgment is obvious. It is now up to the men and women in the LP to stand firm and rebuild the party and not allow it to die, to have a multi-party democracy in the country.”
