Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
The Anambra State chapter of the Labour Party (LP) has taken legal action against candidates contesting the September 28 local government elections on its platform.
This was disclosed by State Chairman of the party Hon. Ugochukwu Emeh, during a press conference at the party’s secretariat in Udoka, Awka, on Thursday.
According to Engineer Theo Egbe, the party’s state publicity secretary, who read the press statement, LP had long boycotted the Anambra State Local Government poll, describing it as a sham.
However, a faction of the party led by Peter Okoye had earlier rejected claims of boycotting the election, insisting the party was prepared for the polls as a test for the 2025 governorship election.
Egbe however emphasised that LP never sold forms, nominated, screened, or submitted its members’ names to the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) for the election, questioning the legitimacy of published LP candidates.
Consequently, the party has filed a lawsuit against those impersonating LP candidates and ANSIEC.
Joined by State Deputy Chairman, Humphrey Iloh, the party reiterated its boycott and urged members to shun the council poll.
Egbe stated, “We are united in our decision not to participate in the Anambra Local Government poll.
“The laws governing the election are illegal and don’t allow other parties to participate. Governor Chukwuma Soludo has selected candidates for chairmen and councillors, and the results are predetermined.”
LP claimed the eight published candidate names in 8 out of 21 local government areas are not its members but mercenaries recruited by the state government.
Egbe assured that LP’s lawyers are handling the matter, and the party is confident of justice.
He said the party in the state had the full support of Senator Nenadi Usman-led National leadership in boycotting the Anambra LG poll.
