By Praise Chinecherem
Labour Party (LP) in Anambra State has filed a lawsuit against those impersonating its candidates in the Saturday September 28 Local Government election.
State Chairman of the party, Hon. Ugochukwu Emeh disclosed this on Friday at a press conference at the party’s secretariat in Udoka, Awka.
A faction of the party led by Peter Okoye had rejected claims of boycotting the election, insisting the party was prepared for the polls as a test for the 2025 governorship election.
But state publicity secretary, Theo Egbe who read the press statement to newsmen on Friday, insisted that LP had long boycotted the LG poll, describing it as a sham.
He maintained 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.
Joined by State Deputy Chairman, Humphrey Iloh, Egbe 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.
He said, “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.
“We’ve taken legal action against candidates contesting the elections on our platform.”
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 Nanede Usman-led National leadership in boycotting the poll, urging members to abide by the directives.
