Former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Dr George Moghalu, on Tuesday purchased the Labour Party’s (LP) ₦30 million nomination and expression of interest forms to contest the Anambra State off-cycle governorship election.
The procurement of the forms took place at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
Speaking shortly after receiving the forms, Moghalu assured journalists in Abuja that he would not only win the party’s primary but also defeat the incumbent governor, Charles Soludo, in the main election.
He said, ‘For me, it is a privilege to run on the platform of LP because one may decide to run, but the party may refuse to accept you. It is not just about paying for the forms but also about being accepted by the people you want to represent.
‘The assurance I want to give you today is that I will not betray your confidence because I am a party man. I understand the dynamics, having served in the party secretariat. My loyalty to wherever I belong cannot be questioned. I have always remained in one party since the inception of this democratic dispensation.
‘But I had to leave for LP because, in every political consideration, two factors are critical. One is the party, and the other is the person. Ambition is not war or a fight because, at the end of the day, one person will fly the party’s flag in Anambra State. It is my wish and firm belief in God that I will be that person’.
Earlier, before presenting the forms, LP National Chairman Julius Abure assured that his leadership would continue to guarantee a transparent, free, and fair primary.
He said, ‘I want to assure you that you have taken the right decision. The Anambra State primary will be free, fair, and credible. Our party members in Anambra will determine who becomes the governorship candidate.
‘Abuja will not dictate who becomes the candidate. It is the people—LP members in Anambra State—who will decide. I want to urge you that while obtaining the form is a good step, you must return to engage with party members.
‘We need to work to endear you to the party members, who ultimately have the power to nominate the governorship candidate. Without sounding immodest, I want to congratulate you and wish you the best of luck’.
