I’ll win Anambra south bye-election with Obi’s backing, says LP candidate

Chuma Nzeribe, senatorial candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the Anambra south bye-election, says the support of Peter Obi and George Moghalu is a defining factor in the race.

In a statement on Friday, Obiora Ifoh, spokesperson of the Julius Abure-led faction, quoted Nzeribe as saying the support from Obi, the party’s 2023 presidential flagbearer, and Moghalu, LP’s governorship candidate in the forthcoming Anambra election, has boosted his confidence ahead of the election scheduled for August.

“I am indeed lucky because of the support from His Excellency, Peter Obi, and Chief George Moghalu,” he said.

Nzeribe said their involvement will “go a long way in ensuring victory” for the party.

“We are expected to win and we are working hard, mobilising the party structures,” he added.

Nzeribe, a former member of the house of representatives, said he is determined to overhaul the security framework in the senatorial district.

“You see the deteriorating security situation in Anambra south where most of the local governments are under the control of the unknown gunmen,” he said.

He promised to introduce a new security architecture to dislodge militants and violent criminals.

On infrastructure, Nzeribe said poor roads and electricity remain key concerns.

“In my local government, Ihiala, we have stayed up to three months without electricity. It is even more in some other areas,” he said.

He described intervention in infrastructure as crucial to his mandate.

Nzeribe dismissed concerns about internal party issues, describing the crisis as “superficial”.

“My candidature is supported by everyone because I am the one on ground and I won the primaries clearly,” he said.

Nzeribe received his certificate of return on Thursday at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.

He won the party’s ticket after polling 367 votes to defeat Anagwu Fredrick Emeka, who got 213.

Julius Abure, LP factional chairman, said the party is confident in Nzeribe’s leadership and experience.

He said the candidate’s security knowledge would help in tackling criminal activities in the zone.

The bye-election will be held on August 16 to fill the seat left vacant after the death of Ifeanyi Ubah on July 27, 2024, in London.