The Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) has won the chairmanship seats in 15 of the 17 local governments of Abia State despite the state being governed by the Labour Party (LP).
The ZLP is believed to enjoy the support of Governor Alex Otti, who is officially a member of the LP, a party different factions seek to control.
The LP won none of the chairmanship seats, and the Young Progressives Party (YPP) won the remaining two, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
Mr Otti and the LP presidential candidate in the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi, belong to the same faction of the LP. PREMIUM TIMES reports that that faction in September appointed a former minister, Nenadi Usman to manage the party’s affairs by heading its caretaker committee.
However, about a month after Mrs Usman’s appointment, a federal court recognised Julius Abure as the authentic national chairman of the LP. Mr Abure dismissed the convention that produced Mrs Usman and threatened to suspend Mr Otti and others from the party.
Amidst the crisis in the LP, Mr Otti is believed to have asked his supporters to vote for the ZLP in the local government elections. Some of his aides and supporters also contested on the ZLP platform and were elected.
One of his aides, Nedu Ekeke, was elected local government chairman of Isuikwuato, according to journalist Nicholas Ibekwe who congratulated him on X.
By Saviour Imukudoand Agency Report
