The Labour Party’s prospect in the upcoming November 2025 Anambra State governorship election appear increasingly unstable, following renewed leadership disputes that have emerged in the wake of the Supreme Court judgment.
While many party members had hoped the apex court judgment would bring lasting resolution to the prolonged internal crisis, fresh interpretations of the judgment have triggered new claims to the party’s leadership.
This has reignited tensions and deepened existing divisions.
Sources close to the party told DAILY GAZETTE that influential stakeholders—including the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, and Abia State Governor Alex Otti—have rallied behind the Senator Esther Nenadi Usman-led Labour Party National Caretaker Committee (LP-NCC).
However, Comrade Julius Abure’s National Working Committee (NWC) remains defiant and insists on continuing its leadership.
Adding another layer of complexity, the party’s Deputy National Chairman (South), Alhaji Lamidi Apapa, has resurfaced, declaring himself the new National Chairman.
He argues that the Supreme Court judgment effectively created a leadership vacuum.
Citing the party’s constitution, Apapa claims that in the event of a chairman’s incapacitation, removal, resignation, or death, the deputy is constitutionally empowered to take over.
This leadership turmoil has left many party supporters—especially those aligned with Chief George Muoghalu—in a state of uncertainty.
Muoghalu, a former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), was declared winner of the governorship primary conducted by the Abure-led faction, polling 573 votes.
However, another faction within the party conducted a separate primary, which produced Jude Umenajiego, a sitting member of the Anambra State House of Assembly representing Onitsha South II, as its candidate. Umenajiego secured 180 votes, while his opponent, John Nwosu, received 69.
With the emergence of two candidates, the focus has now shifted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), where both factions are seeking official recognition.
Reacting to the controversy, Obiora Ifoh, spokesperson for the Abure-led NWC, dismissed the parallel primary as illegitimate.
He stated: “For the benefit of doubt, the Labour Party has since concluded its governorship primary in Anambra State and the name of the successful candidate has already been submitted to the INEC in line with the election guidelines.”
“We are, therefore, disassociating the party from any other or outcome of any primaries as the party has moved on, waiting for the right time to flag off our campaigns.”
Meanwhile, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, the National Secretary of the LP-NCC, condemned the primary that produced Muoghalu, describing it as illegal.
According to him, the Nenadi Usman-led committee would soon provide clarity and direction to party supporters in Anambra.
