Labour Party crisis deepens as Lamidi Apapa declares Leadership takeover

The leadership crisis rocking the Labour Party (LP) has taken a new twist following a dramatic return by factional leader Lamidi Apapa, who declared himself as the acting national chairman after the release of the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Supreme Court’s April 4 judgment.

Apapa, who had remained silent for over a year, resurfaced on Wednesday claiming that the apex court’s decision, which set aside the Court of Appeal’s recognition of Julius Abure as LP’s national chairman, positioned him—being the most senior National Deputy Chairman—as the rightful leader of the party. He made the declaration through a statement signed by factional National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Abayomi Arabambi.

According to Apapa, the Supreme Court verdict invalidated all decisions taken by Abure since April 2023. He also announced that the National Working Committee (NWC) as constituted in 2022 will meet on April 14, 2025, to discuss, among other issues, the zoning of key party offices.

Meanwhile, the camp of Governor Alex Otti and LP’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, held a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja where they presented the 48-page CTC to party members, insisting that the court ruling affirmed the legitimacy of the 29-man caretaker committee elected in Umuahia on September 4, 2024.

Governor Otti emphasised their commitment to due process, recounting that despite earlier judgments favouring Abure, they refrained from any forceful takeover and instead pursued legal redress. He reiterated their appeal for peaceful resolution and called on political parties to always respect their constitutions and rules.

Obi, speaking at the event, lauded supporters for their patience and announced their visit to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to formally present the CTC and begin processes to replace Abure’s leadership. The delegation was received by INEC’s Acting Chairman, Sam Olumekun, who assured them of the commission’s commitment to neutrality and the rule of law.

However, Abure’s camp swiftly responded, dismissing Apapa’s claims and accusing Obi and Otti of misinterpreting the Supreme Court ruling. LP National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, said the judgment did not explicitly state that Abure should vacate his position. He argued that the party’s national convention in March 2024 duly re-elected Abure’s leadership in line with the party constitution and the Electoral Act.

Ifoh warned Nenadi Usman’s faction against misrepresenting the court’s ruling and condemned threats by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to occupy LP offices nationwide. He described such actions as acts of “blackmail and hooliganism” by NLC President Joe Ajaero, whom he accused of politicising the union and undermining the rule of law.

The Abure-led camp insisted that the NLC has no legal basis to interfere in LP’s affairs, urging Ajaero to focus on workers’ welfare rather than meddling in party politics. Ifoh warned that any unlawful actions would be met with resistance and legal countermeasures.

In a separate statement, factional National Secretary Alhaji Umar Farouk accused Obi, Otti, and the caretaker committee of desperation to hijack the party’s structure. He dismissed their visit to INEC and offer of a Board of Trustees position to Abure as illegitimate and contrary to party procedures.

As the battle for the soul of the Labour Party intensifies, both factions are now waiting to see how INEC will interpret and respond to the Supreme Court’s ruling in light of the ongoing leadership tussle.