The Nigeria Labour Congress Political Commission (NLCPC) says it is awaiting the official position of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the ongoing leadership crisis in the Labour Party (LP) before determining its next steps.
The Acting Chairman of the Commission, Professor Theophilus Ndubaku, made this known while addressing journalists on Sunday.
Ndubaku said the political commission had written to INEC following the recent Supreme Court judgment relating to the party’s leadership tussle and was informed that the commission was still studying the ruling.
“As law-abiding citizens, we are waiting for the decision of INEC. After the Supreme Court judgment, we wrote to INEC and the commission informed us that it was studying the judgment. So, we are waiting for them. We don’t want to take laws into our hands. It is part of the reason we have not held our NEC meeting,” he explained.
The commission is also seeking clarification on INEC’s reported recognition of George Moghalu as the Labour Party’s candidate for the November 8 Anambra governorship election. Moghalu was listed by INEC among the 16 governorship candidates, a development welcomed by the Julius Abure-led faction of the party, which conducted the primary that produced him.
However, a parallel primary held by a caretaker committee backed by Abia State Governor Alex Otti and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi produced another candidate—Jude Umenajiego, a member of the Anambra State House of Assembly representing Onitsha South II Constituency.
Ndubaku said the NLCPC had yet to receive formal details confirming Moghalu’s recognition. “We have not seen the details yet,” he added.
Despite the Supreme Court’s recent judgment, the Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC) continues to assert control over the party, insisting that the ruling did not invalidate Abure’s position as National Chairman. This stance has deepened divisions within the party, drawing criticism from key stakeholders, including Governor Otti and the NLC leadership.
Meanwhile, the crisis took another twist as the Abure-led faction called for the probe of Victor Afam Ogene, the suspended Leader of the LP Caucus in the House of Representatives. Ogene was accused of presenting a “fake document” and allegedly mismanaging funds contributed by LP lawmakers.
In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the faction also threatened to expel and recall Ogene over what it described as his “misplaced priorities” and “poor legislative performance.”
The statement further alleged that Ogene was attempting to “cyber-bully” the Attorney General of the Federation, law enforcement agencies, and the Labour Party leadership in what it described as a politically motivated outburst.
Ogene, however, dismissed the accusations, claiming they were orchestrated by Abure to deflect attention from more serious issues confronting the party. He stated that it was the responsibility of his constituents—not party leaders—to assess his performance.
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