Labour Party crisis deepens as faction holds parallel governorship primary in Anambra

The internal crisis within the Labour Party has further intensified in Anambra State as a faction of the party conducted a parallel governorship primary on Thursday, declaring Mr. Jude Umennajiego as its candidate.

Umennajiego emerged winner with 180 votes, defeating John Nwosu who polled 69 votes, according to Sunday Okereke, chairman of the faction’s electoral committee.

This development comes weeks after the party had earlier held a governorship primary at Finohotels, where former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Dr. George Moghalu, was declared winner.

John Nwosu had earlier withdrawn from the initial race, citing irregularities in the delegate list and referencing a Supreme Court judgement as part of his concerns.

Reacting to the latest development, Dr. Moghalu dismissed the parallel exercise, describing those behind it as “people without direction.” 

He emphasised that he had already received a certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), affirming his candidacy.

“What God has given to me, nobody can take it. What they’re doing is an impossibility “

The publicity secretary, Theo Egbe, told The Nation that he only advised the party to tarry awhile before conducting any primary election based on the Supreme court judgement.

“There’s nothing wrong in waiting, no matter whatever they do now, the Supreme court judgement must prevail” Egbe said

For the state chairman of the party, Chief Ugochukwu Emeh, said what the publicity secretary said was his personal opinion, adding that the party did not discuss it.

“We have done our primary election for the November 8 governorship and we are waiting the decision of the national body of the LP” Emeh said

It was gathered that Jude Umennajiego, one of the contestants for the ticket during the primary on Thursday, will act as a place holder for yet to be named person.

Meanwhile, the former national Auditor of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Paul Chukwuma, has emerged the governorship candidate of the Young Progressive Party, YPP

Also, a security expert in Anambra state, 

Chief Jeff Nweke, has emerged as the governorship candidate of the Action Alliance (AA) in the state

Nweke secured 58 votes in an open ballot system, surpassing his two opponents who garnered 8 and 6 votes respectively.

Nweke, a renowned philantropist, is known for empowering widows, school children and youths where he had consistently, given out hundreds of millions

In his speech after his victory, the AA governorship candidate, Nweke has pledged to prioritize security and job creation in Anambra State. 

He attributes insecurity to high youth unemployment and proposes massive employment initiatives to engage youths positively and reduce crime.

However, Chukwuma, who pulled out of the race and dumped APC, reaffirmed his commitment in carrying out President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda in Anambra state in YPP.

The YPP primary election was conducted using the Option A4 method, where he was declared winner in a peaceful, transparent, and fair atmosphere

The result was announced by Vidieno Bamayi, a lawyer, who was the Chairman of the Election Committee and National Secretary of YPP under the supervision of INEC 

Chukwuma garnered 366 ‘yes’ votes, with eight delegates voting ‘no’.

YPP National Chairman, Comrade Emmanuel Bishop Amakiri, praised Chukwuma for his potential to expand the party’s reach and enhance its political prospects. 

Amakiri noted that Chukwuma would bring substantial value to the YPP’s political fortunes.

In his acceptance speech, Chukwuma expressed gratitude to the party and it’s members both in the state and at the national

He assured them that he would not disappoint them while taking the party to an enviable height