Labour Party (LP) lost at the polling unit of its leader Peter Obi in the ongoing Anambra State governorship election.
Official results announced at about 3 p.m. at Polling Unit 019, Agulu Ward 11, Anaocha Local Government Area, showed the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Nicholas Ukachukwu, with 73 votes, defeating the Labour Party candidate, George Moghalu, who scored 57 votes.
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate came third with 38 votes.
Mr Obi, a former two-term governor of Anambra State and LP presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, cast his ballot earlier at the same polling unit and had campaigned for Moghalu ahead of the election.
Speaking to journalists after voting, Obi expressed concern over the state of democracy in Nigeria.
“Our democracy is deteriorating, and unfortunately, those who are benefiting from bad governance seem to be fueling it,” he said.
He criticized vote buying, saying some voters receive payments for their votes, which he described as a threat to the country’s future.
“I have been able to listen and move around to see what is happening, and it is bad that we still experience vote buying. Someone who is not employed collects N30,000 for his vote, that means you have sold your school, your hospital, your job opportunities and selling away your future. That is what is very worrisome about our democracy. Other countries, even West African countries that are close to us where I have observed elections, I haven’t seen something like this happening. This must stop.”
Obi also said he wished all candidates well, noting that he was supporting Moghalu as a member of the Labour Party.
“I’m not on the ballot, but I’m a member of Labour Party and I support my candidate, Dr George Moghalu. All the people contesting are my friends and I wish them well,” he concluded.
The result contrasts with Obi’s performance in the 2023 presidential election, where he received over 95 percent of votes in Anambra State.
