The political tension in Anambra State ahead of the 2025 gubernatorial election took a new turn on Saturday, as a leading Labour Party (LP) aspirant, Mr. Nnanna Nwosu, declared that the gubernatorial ticket allegedly secured by former presidential aspirant, Kingsley Moghalu, is “null and void.” Nwosu made the declaration during a press conference in Awka, accusing certain individuals within the party of attempting to hijack the primary process in violation of the party’s constitution.

Nwosu, a vocal grassroots politician and long-time member of the Labour Party in Anambra, claimed that Moghalu’s emergence as a supposed consensus candidate was not only premature but also illegal and unrecognized by the party’s legitimate state structure.

“There Was No Primary” — Nwosu Raises Alarm

Speaking to journalists, Nwosu alleged that no official gubernatorial primary had been conducted in Anambra State and described any claim of candidacy as fraudulent and misleading. He warned that such actions were capable of tearing the Labour Party apart ahead of the crucial election.

“There was no primary election in Anambra. Nobody emerged through any democratic process. What we are seeing is a group of people attempting to impose a candidate on the rest of us without due process,” Nwosu stated. “Let it be on record that any so-called ticket given to Kingsley Moghalu is null and void, and has no bearing on the actual aspirations of the party in Anambra State.”

He stressed that the LP constitution clearly outlines procedures for conducting primaries, including stakeholder consultations, clearance of aspirants by the screening committee, and open balloting. None of these, according to Nwosu, had taken place.

Allegations of External Influence and Hijack

Nwosu further alleged that certain external forces, including influential figures within the party’s national executive, were attempting to manipulate the Anambra LP structures to favour Moghalu’s candidacy.

“This is not about Moghalu’s competence or past records; it is about process and justice. Even the best candidate must emerge through the right process,” he said. “We will not allow a situation where Abuja politicians sit in air-conditioned offices and decide the future of Anambra without consulting the people.”

The aspirant called on the national chairman of the Labour Party, Barrister Julius Abure, to distance the party from what he termed an “illegal endorsement,” warning that failure to correct the anomalies could lead to serious litigations and internal party splits.

Labour Party Reacts: State Leadership Disagrees

In response to Nwosu’s claims, the Labour Party’s Anambra State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kenneth Oguejiofor, denied the allegation of a backdoor ticket being handed out. He insisted that the party had not yet concluded its internal selection process and that all aspirants were still in the race.

“We want to make it clear that the Labour Party has not endorsed any individual as its governorship candidate for the 2025 elections. Any information to the contrary is speculative and should be disregarded,” Oguejiofor said.

However, sources within the party confirmed that talks had been ongoing between some national officers and Moghalu’s camp, sparking concerns among other aspirants that a predetermined outcome was being planned.

Moghalu Camp Keeps Mum

Efforts to reach Prof. Kingsley Moghalu for comments proved unsuccessful as his media aides declined to issue any statement at the time of filing this report. However, insiders close to his campaign team revealed that he was “fully focused on engaging stakeholders in Anambra” and had no intention of violating party procedures.

Moghalu, a former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and 2019 presidential candidate under the Young Progressives Party (YPP), joined the Labour Party earlier this year amid speculations of his interest in contesting the 2025 Anambra governorship election.

Other Aspirants Demand Level Playing Field

Nwosu’s statement has received backing from several other aspirants within the party, including Mrs. Adaeze Ibekwe and Chief Emeka Ude, who both issued statements demanding transparency and equal opportunity in the conduct of primaries.

“We must not destroy the Labour Party’s reputation for fairness and people-centric politics. Any attempt to impose a candidate will be resisted by the rank and file of the party,” Ibekwe warned.

INEC and the Coming Deadline

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the Anambra governorship election for November 2025 and is expected to release a timetable for political party primaries by the end of June 2024. Political parties are expected to conduct transparent and credible primaries in line with the 2022 Electoral Act.

Observers warn that internal conflicts such as the one currently brewing in the Labour Party could jeopardize its chances in a state that has become increasingly competitive.

Conclusion

As the countdown to Anambra 2025 continues, the Labour Party faces a critical test in handling its internal affairs. Nnanna Nwosu’s rejection of Kingsley Moghalu’s alleged ticket has thrown open a fierce debate on transparency, party unity, and due process. While the national leadership may still have time to recalibrate its strategy, the outcome of these tensions will likely determine the party’s credibility and performance at the polls.

For now, all eyes remain on the Labour Party to see whether it will uphold its democratic ideals or succumb to backdoor politics.