Our reporter
The internal crisis rocking the Labour Party (LP) has taken a dramatic new turn as Alhaji Bashiru Lamidi Apapa has declared himself the acting National Chairman of the party, citing a recent Supreme Court ruling that invalidated the leadership of Julius Abure.
Speaking at a press conference held on Wednesday, Apapa asserted that the Supreme Court’s judgment delivered on 4 April 2025 effectively removed Abure from office. According to Apapa, as the most senior deputy national chairman, he is constitutionally mandated to assume the party’s leadership.
“Following the decision of the Supreme Court on setting aside all judgements that recognise the leadership of Julius Abure as National Chairman, I, ALH BASHIRU LAMIDI APAPA, the most senior deputy national, and in consonance with our party constitution, Article 14 2(a)(b), hereby take over the running of the affairs of our great party with effect from today, Wednesday, the 9th day of April 2025, in an acting capacity, and Alh Farouk Umar Ibrahim as National Secretary,” he announced.
Apapa’s declaration further deepens the turmoil within the party, which has faced increasing factional disputes in recent months. The Supreme Court ruling, which Apapa referenced, nullified all earlier judgements recognising Julius Abure as National Chairman, although the details and scope of the judgement remain subject to varying interpretations among party stakeholders.
Apapa used the platform to announce that the Labour Party’s National Working Committee (NWC) as constituted in 2022 would reconvene on Monday, 14 April 2025. The meeting, he said, would serve to chart a new course for the party and begin the process of electing a substantive leadership.
“My leadership hereby calls on all members of the Labour Party that the National Working Committee of our party as of 2022 will meet next week, Monday, 14th April 2025, to announce our plans, which will include zoning the position of National Chairman to the North and National Secretary to the South,” he stated.
In addition to outlining plans for the upcoming NWC meeting, Apapa emphasised that any decisions or actions taken by Abure after the Supreme Court judgment would be considered “null and void.”
“My leadership will also take proactive steps to resuscitate the moribund Board of Trustees and make it functional,” Apapa said, promising a more inclusive and transparent party structure moving forward.
He listed key members of the 2022 NWC expected to participate in the meeting, underscoring that preparations for ward, local government, state, and national congresses would begin immediately. He also stressed that only financial members of the party would be eligible to participate in the upcoming congresses and convention.
The officials named under Apapa’s interim leadership include:
– Deputy National Chairman (NLC): Mr Ladi Iliya
– Deputy National Chairman (TUC): Dr Ayo Olorunfemi
– National Secretary: Alhaji Umar Farouq Ibrahim
– National Legal Adviser: Barrister Oyelekan Akingbade
– National Publicity Secretary: Dr Abayomi Arabambi
– National Treasurer: Mrs Oluchi Opara
– National Youth Leader: Yet to be confirmed
The emergence of Apapa as a rival leader is expected to trigger further division within the party, already reeling from months of internal wrangling and legal challenges. Party loyalists and political observers are now keenly watching to see how the leadership tussle will be resolved, particularly as preparations for future elections begin to gather momentum.
As of press time, Julius Abure has not officially responded to Apapa’s claims, and the Labour Party has not issued a unified statement on the current development.
This unfolding crisis adds to the uncertainty surrounding the party’s leadership, with potential implications for its political positioning ahead of forthcoming electoral contests.
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