A governorship aspirant of the Labour Party (LP) in Anambra State, Mr. John Nwosu, has declared that the emergence of Dr. George Moghalu as the party’s candidate is null and void, citing the recent Supreme Court judgment which sacked the Julius Abure-led executive.
Nwosu made the assertion while addressing journalists in Anambra on Wednesday, insisting that the candidacy of Moghalu—who was elected in a primary conducted under Abure’s leadership on April 5—is invalidated by the apex court’s April 4 decision that dissolved the faction’s leadership.
Despite the court ruling, the Abure faction had gone ahead with its primary, electing Moghalu, a former Director-General of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), as the party’s flagbearer.
However, on April 10, a separate LP primary was held under the leadership of Senator Esther Nenadi Usman, where Hon. Jude Umennajiego, a member of the Anambra State House of Assembly, emerged as the candidate.
Nwosu, who opted out of the Abure-led process and contested—but lost—the Nenadi-Usman primary, insists he remains the legitimate aspirant and questions Umennajiego’s candidacy, claiming he was only presented as a placeholder.
“The Supreme Court ruling on April 4, 2025, was unambiguous. It established who the lawful leaders of the Labour Party are,” Nwosu stated. “Therefore, the primary held on April 5 stands nullified. The April 10 primary is the only one conducted by the recognized leadership.”
He added, “I believe in due process and the rule of law. My appeal is already before the party, and once the Easter holidays are over, I am confident a decision will be made. In due time, the truth will emerge, and I will be vindicated.”
When asked whether he would pursue legal action if the party fails to recognize him as its candidate, Nwosu was hopeful that such a scenario would be avoided but affirmed his readiness to take that step if necessary.
“I’m a team player and I sincerely hope it doesn’t come to that,” he said. “But if push comes to shove, I will not hesitate to explore all available legal remedies. The process must reflect justice and fairness.”
The Labour Party is expected to resolve the internal dispute ahead of the Anambra governorship election scheduled for November 8, 2025.
