2023: Crisis in LP as Peter Obi’s ex-aide emerges factional presidential candidate

There is a crisis brewing within the Labour Party (LP) as a former aide to Peter Obi has emerged the factional Presidential candidate of the party for the 2023 elections.

Mr Jude Ezenwafor, a former Chairman of Labour Party (LP) in Anambra and a sole aspirant, emerged through affirmation during the faction’s primary held in Abuja on Wednesday.

“I am on a rescue mission to free Nigeria from social, economic and political crises currently bedevilling it,” NAN quoted Ezenwafor while addressing the national delegates after his emergence.

He said having understudied two former governors in Anambra State and being the chairman of the party in the state, he had what it takes to lead the country to economic freedom.

He also said he had a brighter chance of defeating the presidential candidates of other political parties being a young man with energy and vigour.

He said that with the level of insecurity in the country, “Nigeria needs to be rescued.

“Labour is leading a revolutionary course; Labour party will win the general election.

“Our party is going to take over Nigeria and bring back the glory Nigeria needs.

“I have been in the corridors of government for the past 20 years. We are here on a rescue mission,” he said.

Ezenwafor was a former Senior Special Assistant to former Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra and served under former Governor Peter Obi for four months.

Earlier, Acting National Chairman of the Labour Party, Calistus Okafor, described the candidate as “a man of integrity.”

“Having made all the requirements of the party, we hereby affirm you to be the presidential candidate of the Labour Party come 2023.”

Okafor, while speaking on the candidacy of Peter Obi, said “I am not against you. My doors are open.

“I am fighting for what is my right. I am not fighting my brother. Those who think I’m being used should have a rethink.”

NewsWireNGR had earlier reported that Peter Obi was elected unopposed as the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) for 2023 general elections.

Obi emerged the winner after all other aspirants stepped down for him and in the interest of the party in a presidential primary election held in Asaba, Delta.

According to Chairman, Electoral Committee, Usman Abdullahi, five presidential aspirants were cleared to contest the election.

Abdullahi disclosed that a total of 104 delegates from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory(FCT), were accredited for the election.

However, in the unfolding event, the presidential aspirants; Prof. Pat Utomi, Mr Joseph Faduri and Mrs Olubusola Emmanuel-Tella stepped down while Mr Charles Uchenna withdrew from the election.

Obi, at the end of the voting, polled a total of 96 votes to clinch the party ticket for the general election.

While declaring the result, Abdullahi declared Obi winner and presidential candidate of the LP for the 2023 general election for having polled a total of 96  votes out of the  97 valid votes with one invalid vote.

He described the process as free, fair, transparent and credible.

Obi, in his acceptance address, said that the country was in dire need of effective leadership that could remove the country from a consuming to a productive nation.

According to him, the only way to fight insecurity is to pull people out of poverty.

He said that under his administration, education, power generation and the economy would be the priority if given the mandate as president.

Obi said that having secured the mandate as a presidential candidate that the journey to the presidency have begun.

He said he would mobilise to harness votes from all nook and cranny of the country to win the presidency.