From Ifeoma Ejiofor
The Federal High Court sitting in Enugu has restrained Chief George Moghalu from parading himself as the governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the forthcoming November 8, 2025 Anambra State Governorship Election.
The interim order, issued in Suit No. FHC/AWK/CS/226/2025, followed two motions ex-parte filed by members of the Interim State Executive Committee of the Labour Party in Anambra State, led by Okoye Peter Chukwunulu and Jerry Nnubia.
The plaintiffs had prayed the court to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising Moghalu, who emerged from the faction of the party loyal to the sacked National Chairman, Julius Abure.
The court, presided over by Justice Nwaukwa Ukamaka, granted the order restraining Moghalu (the 4th defendant in the suit) from further parading himself as LP’s candidate in line with the April 4, 2025 judgment of the Supreme Court which removed Abure as the party’s National Chairman.
The apex court had earlier affirmed Senator Nenadi Usman as head of the National Caretaker Committee of the party, declaring that any nominations or lists emanating from Abure’s leadership were invalid.
In its ruling, the Enugu Federal High Court also ordered INEC not to accept or process any nomination forms or electoral documents submitted by the Abure-backed State Executive Committee in Anambra, pending the determination of the substantive suit.
Furthermore, the court directed that the originating summons and other processes be served on Moghalu through substituted means by pasting same at his residence in Nnewi, Nnewi North Local Government Area.
While granting the orders of substituted service, the court insisted that all parties must maintain the status quo until the substantive matter is heard.
In a sharp reaction to the court ruling, the Special Adviser on Media to Dr Moghalu, Johnson Okoye described the development as baseless.
He said, “Our attention has been drawn to false rumors circulating about Dr. George Moghalu’s candidacy for the Anambra State governorship. Ordinarily, such baseless claims would merit no response.
“However, in the interest of our supporters, party members, and well-meaning Ndi Anambra who could be misled, it has become necessary to set the record straight.
“Let us state clearly and unequivocally: these rumors are entirely false. Dr. Moghalu’s candidacy is not in question. Legal actions in no way guarantee the outcome desired by those spreading misinformation.
“His emergence as the Labour Party’s governorship candidate followed all lawful and party procedures, was duly monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and officially published. His legitimacy is indisputable……”