-O.Adejo
Ambassador Jude Ezenwafor, a former chairman of the Labour Party (LP) in Anambra state, has been declared the winner of the party’s presidential primary.
Ezenwafor, the sole candidate, was elected by affirmation at the election held in Abuja on Wednesday.
The news comes just days after Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra, was elected as the party’s presidential candidate in a Delta state primary organized by the party’s Julius Abure-led faction.
Before Obi’s victory in the primary, Calistus Okafor, chairman of another faction of the party, challenged the legality of the Abure-led faction in a suit filed before a federal high court in Abuja.
The presiding judge, Inyang Ekwo, ordered on May 30 that the LP and some of its executives be served with a new suit challenging the party’s leadership, after which the case was adjourned until June 30 for further consideration.
Meanwhile, Ezenwafor told supporters on Wednesday that he has what it takes to lead Nigeria well.
VIP magazine quoted him saying, “I am on a rescue mission to free Nigeria from the social, economic, and political crises that it is currently facing.
“Labour is charting a new course.” The Labour Party will triumph in the general election. Our party will take over Nigeria and restore the country’s glory.
“I’ve been working in government for the past 20 years.” We’re on a rescue mission.”
Ezenwafor, a former aide to former Anambra governor Willie Obiano, also served under Obi.
Okafor, the party’s factional chairman, called the candidate “a man of integrity.”
“Having met all of the party’s requirements, we hereby affirm you to be the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in 2023,” he said.
Okafor, on the other hand, stated that he has nothing against Obi.
“I am fighting for my right.” I’m not going to fight my brother. “Those who believe I’m being used should reconsider,” he said.
Meanwhile, all political parties are to complete their primaries latest June 9 according to INEC’s timetable.
Trouble for Peter Obi as Labour Party faction elects Presidential candidate