Factional National Chairman of the Labour Party, Lamidi Apapa, has refuted widespread speculation that he went into hiding and only resurfaced after the Supreme Court’s intervention in the party’s leadership tussle.
In an interview with TVC on Thursday, Apapa clarified that his absence from the public eye was due to his ongoing legal pursuit against a Court of Appeal judgment that reinstated Julius Abure as the party’s legitimate national chairman.
According to Apapa, his decision to remain silent following the appellate court’s verdict was a demonstration of his respect for the judiciary and the rule of law.
“I never disappeared as being claimed. I’ve simply been engaged in a legal process that has moved from the Federal High Court to the Court of Appeal, and now to the Supreme Court,” Apapa explained.
“As someone who respects the authority of the courts, I believe once a ruling is delivered—regardless of whether or not you agree with it—it is only right to comply until a higher court decides otherwise. That’s why I chose not to comment after the Appeal Court’s decision,” he added.
Apapa went on to recall that Julius Abure had previously been suspended and legally restrained from functioning as a national officer of the party. Despite the court order, he claimed Abure continued to act in that capacity with the backing of certain powerful individuals and factions within the party, notably the group led by Nenadi Usman and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
“The same people who are now opposing Abure were the ones shielding him when a court ordered his suspension. I cautioned them at the time that if the court has restrained someone from performing a national role, they should respect that ruling. Instead, they chose to support him, perhaps for reasons best known to them,” he stated.
He stressed that his commitment to legal redress is unwavering, noting that his case is still before the Supreme Court.
“When the Appeal Court overturned the suspension and ruled in Abure’s favor, I did not challenge the ruling in the media. I went straight to the Supreme Court to seek further legal interpretation. I still have an active case before the apex court, which shows I haven’t been silent or inactive,” Apapa emphasized.
The Labour Party’s internal crisis has continued to draw national attention, with both factions laying claim to the party’s leadership amid legal and political wrangling. As the matter heads for final adjudication in the Supreme Court, the outcome is expected to determine the legitimate leader of one of Nigeria’s prominent opposition parties.
