UMUAHIA, Nigeria – The Zenith Labour Party, ZLP, has emerged victorious in the Abia State local government elections, claiming 15 of the 17 available chairmanship positions.
The remaining two local government areas were won by the Young Progressives Party, YPP, leaving the Labour Party, LP — the party of incumbent Governor Alex Otti — without any seats.
The results were announced by George Chima, chairman of the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission, ABSIEC, at the commission’s headquarters in Umuahia on Saturday, November 2, 2024.
“We have carried out the duty we were inaugurated on September 5 to undertake,” Chima stated, according to NAN.
Describing the elections as “free, fair, and credible,” he noted that over 12 political parties participated, a significant milestone for the commission.
Internal Crisis Weakens Labour Party’s Performance
The Labour Party’s failure to secure any LGA seats is believed to be connected to a protracted internal leadership crisis.
Governor Otti and members of his cabinet were notably absent from the LP’s campaign activities.
Reports suggest that many of Otti’s allies defected to the ZLP in the lead-up to the polls, influenced by ongoing tensions within the Labour Party.
Governor Otti has been at odds with Julius Abure, the national chairman of the LP, over the control of the party.
This dispute saw recent legal developments: on October 8, a federal high court in Abuja upheld Abure’s position as the legitimate chairman and validated the LP’s executive lineup from its March 2024 Nnewi convention.
The court also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to recognise Abure’s leadership, further deepening divisions within the party.
ABSIEC Chair Acknowledges Peaceful Process and Urges Continued Unity
Despite the political tensions, ABSIEC’s Chima commended the peaceful conduct of the elections and acknowledged the role of security agencies in maintaining order.
“The most important thing is that Abia has been peaceful, and I want the peace to continue,” he stated.
Chima also congratulated both winners and losers, emphasizing that in any election, both outcomes are to be expected.
The results highlight the shifting political landscape in Abia, with the ZLP gaining ground as the Labour Party grapples with internal discord.
As the state moves forward, the influence of the ZLP and the impact of the Labour Party’s internal struggles are likely to shape Abia’s political future.
