A new twist has emerged in the ongoing leadership crisis within Nigeria’s Labour Party (LP), as factional leader Lamidi Apapa reappeared on the political scene, asserting that he has legally assumed control of the party.
Apapa’s declaration follows the release of the Certified True Copy (CTC) of last Friday’s Supreme Court ruling, which he claims invalidates Julius Abure’s position as national chairman.
In a statement signed by Abayomi Arabambi, the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Apapa claimed the judgment delivered by the apex court nullified the earlier Court of Appeal ruling that upheld Abure’s leadership. According to him, the verdict effectively renders all actions taken by Abure since April 2023 “null and void.”
Apapa, who had been largely absent from the public eye for over a year, resurfaced to announce that he is now the de facto national chairman, citing party constitutional provisions that position the most senior deputy chairman as the rightful successor.
“Following the decision of the Supreme Court… I, Alhaji Bashiru Lamidi Apapa, hereby take over the running of the affairs of our great party with effect from today, in an acting capacity,” the statement read.
He also declared that his faction’s National Working Committee, recognized in 2022, would meet on Monday, April 14, to deliberate on key issues, including a proposed zoning formula that would assign the chairmanship to the North and the secretary position to the South.
Obi, Otti Present Supreme Court Judgment, Dismiss Apapa’s Claims
In a parallel development, members of the Labour Party aligned with Governor Alex Otti and 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi celebrated what they described as a judicial confirmation of their leadership. Speaking at a stakeholder engagement in Abuja, Otti presented the 48-page Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court verdict and said it clarified the leadership issue in favor of the Nenadi Usman-led Caretaker Committee.
“The judgment is very clear. It affirmed that we, the elected members and leaders of this party, constitute the legitimate leadership. We are law-abiding and have followed due process,” Otti stated.
He also criticized Julius Abure’s refusal to accept a reconciliatory offer, noting that he had previously advised Abure to consider stepping down and taking on a new role, possibly as chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees—a proposal Abure rejected.
Obi, addressing the crowd, appreciated party loyalists for their patience and reaffirmed the need to rebuild the Labour Party through lawful means. He announced that a delegation would immediately proceed to INEC’s headquarters to submit the court documents and formally initiate the leadership transition.
Following the meeting, Otti led the delegation to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), where they met with acting chairman Sam Olumekun and submitted the judgment.
Olumekun assured the delegation of INEC’s continued neutrality and commitment to constitutional procedures.
Abure Camp Reacts, Dismisses Ruling Interpretation
Reacting to the unfolding events, the Julius Abure-led faction dismissed claims of a leadership change. In an interview with Punch, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, mocked the celebration by Obi and Otti supporters, insisting the Supreme Court’s judgment did not declare Abure’s removal.
“They are jubilating over nothing. The CTC does not mention that Abure has been removed,” Ifoh said, emphasizing that the legal interpretation being peddled by the opposing faction is inaccurate.
He insisted that Abure remains the legitimate chairman of the Labour Party, and described the opposing camp’s NEC meeting as a “charade” without constitutional merit.
