Aspirants Flood Labour Party Secretariat as NDC Leadership Crisis Deepens in Enugu

Candidates seeking various political positions on the platform of the Labour Party, LP, have thronged the party’s National Headquarters in Abuja in a bid to meet the deadline for the purchase of nomination forms ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Among notable aspirants who obtained forms on Tuesday was Peter Agada, who picked up the Presidential Nomination Form.

Others include Gazo Jonathan Gbefwi, aspiring for the Nasarawa State governorship seat, and Prince Chioma Chinwo, who is seeking the governorship ticket in Rivers State.

Philip Agbese also joined the race for the Ado/Ogbadibo/Okpokwe Federal Constituency seat in Benue State, while Maj. Kenneth Obiabo Ehoche is contesting for the Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency seat in the same state.

Also in the race is Ishaya Timothy Yohanna, who picked up forms to contest for the Yola North/Yola South/Girei Federal Constituency seat.

Labour Party spokesman, Ken Eluma Asogwa, had earlier disclosed that the party’s National Secretariat was witnessing massive turnout from aspirants seeking nomination forms for the 2027 elections.

Other aspirants who obtained forms include former Ondo State First Lady, Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, who is contesting for the Imo East Senatorial District seat.

Also among the aspirants are Hassan Mamman Barguwa, seeking the House of Representatives seat for Gombi/Hong Federal Constituency in Adamawa State; Hon. Dennis Chibuzor Oshai, contesting for the Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency in Delta State; Eric Edward, aspiring for the Hong State Constituency seat in Adamawa State House of Assembly; and Mohammed Hayatu Atiku, contesting for the Uba/Gaya State Constituency seat in Adamawa State.

Meanwhile, the leadership crisis rocking the Enugu State chapter of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, has deepened as the party insisted that Dr. Johnpaul Anih remains the duly elected chairman of the party in the state.

In a statement signed by the state Publicity Secretary, Emmanuel Ugwueze, the party dismissed claims by Engr. Ibuchukwu Obetta, who allegedly reaffirmed himself as chairman of the party in Enugu State.

Ugwueze described Obetta’s claim as a deliberate attempt to mislead party members and the public regarding the authentic leadership structure of the NDC in the state.

According to the statement, the state congress of the party, conducted in line with the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act, produced Anih as the substantive chairman.

The party stated that the congress was attended by delegates, stakeholders and members from the 17 local government areas of the state.

The NDC further explained that the recently concluded National Convention marked the end of all interim and protem leadership structures within the party, making all duly elected officers the legitimate leaders at various levels.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the duly conducted state congress of the party in Enugu State produced Dr. Johnpaul Anih as the substantive State Chairman of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). The congress was attended by delegates, stakeholders, and party faithful from across the 17 local government areas of the state and followed the constitutional guidelines of the party and the Electoral Act,” the statement read.

“The just concluded National Convention marked the end of every protem or interim leadership structure within the party, thereby making every duly elected officer across different levels the legitimate and recognised leaders of the NDC.”

The party added that leadership positions could only be attained through democratic and constitutional procedures and not through “self-declaration and media propaganda.”

The NDC also warned aspirants and supporters against making payments into personal accounts of individuals allegedly posing as party leaders, noting that such actions could amount to fraud.