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

Factional leader of the Labour Party, Lamidi Apapa, however, called on Obi to unite behind Moghalu, warning that the party risks failure at the polls if it approaches the election divided.

Apapa described the lack of cohesion within LP as a dangerous development, stressing that unity should take precedence over 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 comes in the wake of INEC’s publication of Moghalu’s name as LP’s official governorship candidate—a move that many saw as a validation of Julius Abure’s leadership of the party.

Moghalu, a former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, had defeated his lone opponent, John Nwosu, by polling 573 votes during the party’s primary held on April 5 at Finotel Hotel, Awka.

According to official figures from that exercise, out of 649 delegates, 601 were accredited, 592 votes were valid, and five were declared invalid. INEC officials and election observers were present during the process.

However, a rival Labour Party faction backed by Obi and Governor Otti, under the Nenadi Usman-led National Caretaker Committee, conducted a parallel primary that produced Jude Umenajiego, a sitting member of the Anambra State House of Assembly representing Onitsha South Two, as its own candidate. Umenajiego won that primary with 180 votes, again defeating John Nwosu, who polled 69 votes.

While responding to inquiries about the legitimacy of Moghalu’s candidacy, Apapa insisted that his main concern was peace within the party.

“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,” he said.

Apapa further stated that Obi should put aside factional disputes and support his fellow Anambra native, George Moghalu, to present a strong challenge against the incumbent, Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance.

“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.

“Obi should be able to mediate and work together with Moghalu if INEC recognises him. The two of them belong to LP and should not be seen fighting against each other. My point is this: Peter Obi and Moghalu are both from Anambra. Why not call the two parties and resolve the issue?

“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?”

Reacting to INEC’s recognition of Moghalu, Tony Akeni, spokesperson for the Usman-led faction, rejected the electoral body’s position, labelling it unacceptable and part of a broader plot 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 The PUNCH.

He added that an emergency meeting of the Labour Party National Executive Committee had been convened, with another special NEC session scheduled for Wednesday, under the leadership of Nenadi Usman.