(DDM) – The Labour Party governorship candidate in Anambra State, Dr. George Moghalu, made a grand and politically charged appearance at the 2025 Ofala Festival in Onitsha, where he paid homage to His Royal Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, the revered Obi of Onitsha.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that Moghalu’s attendance stirred excitement and speculation across the political landscape, with many observers viewing it as both a cultural affirmation and a calculated move to strengthen grassroots connections ahead of the 2025 Anambra governorship election.
Accompanied by his running mate, Hon. Ifeoma Okaro, and key members of his campaign team, Moghalu arrived at the Ime Obi Onitsha in regal fashion, receiving a rousing welcome from the palace guards, traditional title holders, and jubilant crowds chanting solidarity songs.
He described the Ofala Festival as a living testament to the endurance of Igbo heritage, praising Igwe Achebe for preserving a cultural institution that continues to inspire unity, moral renewal, and community resilience across generations.
Moghalu lauded the monarch’s peace-driven leadership and credited his reign with fostering dialogue and coexistence among diverse communities in the state.
He declared that Anambra needs leaders with the wisdom of kings and the humility of servants, adding that his campaign is driven by a desire to restore public trust and rebuild a state where governance truly serves the people.
“The Ofala Festival is not just a celebration of culture,” Moghalu said, “It is a reminder that leadership must be rooted in moral strength, integrity, and service to the people. That is the kind of leadership Anambra deserves.”
The governorship hopeful further emphasized that his administration, if elected, would prioritize education, healthcare, youth empowerment, and economic diversification, aligning with the traditional values of honesty and communal progress symbolized by the Obi of Onitsha.
DDM learned that this year’s festival attracted an array of dignitaries, including business magnates, political figures, royal fathers, and international guests, highlighting the global recognition of Onitsha’s cultural influence.
Dr. Moghalu’s presence did not go unnoticed by political commentators, who described his respectful yet assertive outing as a symbolic challenge to the entrenched political order in Anambra, signaling that the Labour Party is ready to reclaim the state’s moral and developmental direction.
Some attendees likened his speech and demeanor to that of Mr. Peter Obi, the former Anambra governor and Labour Party national leader, whom Moghalu openly acknowledged as his mentor and the “moral compass of the new Anambra movement.”
He expressed gratitude to Obi for his guidance, and also extended appreciation to Dr. Tony Nwoye and Governor Alex Otti for their demonstration of people-first governance within the Labour Party fold.
Political watchers say the emotional connection between Moghalu’s vision and the audience’s response at the Ofala Festival could mark a defining moment in his campaign, especially in areas where cultural pride remains deeply intertwined with political loyalty.
The 2025 Ofala Festival, celebrated under the theme “Peace, Progress, and the Power of Tradition,” featured dance troupes, masquerade displays, and royal processions that symbolized the unity and strength of the Onitsha kingdom.
In his concluding message, Dr. Moghalu reaffirmed his commitment to building a new Anambra founded on transparency, justice, and inclusive development, adding that true leadership is not about titles or thrones, but about service and sacrifice.
As the drums faded and the crowd dispersed, one message resonated clearly, that the Labour Party’s rising star has not only honored tradition but also positioned himself as a bridge between the wisdom of the past and the promise of a better Anambra.