ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The leadership crisis in the Labour Party (LP) has deepened, as Lamidi Apapa declares himself the acting National Chairman of the party following a Supreme Court judgement that sacked Julius Abure from the position.
A five-member panel of the Supreme Court recently overturned an earlier decision by the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which had recognized Abure as the party’s legitimate chairman.
Relying on this ruling, Apapa, at a press conference on Wednesday, announced his takeover of the party’s leadership.
He argued that the court’s decision invalidates all actions taken by Abure since April 2023.
In a statement co-signed by top LP officials—including Deputy National Chairman (NLC) Ladi Iliya, Deputy National Chairman (TUC) Dr. Ayo Olorunfemi, National Secretary Alhaji Umar Farouq Ibrahim, National Legal Adviser Barr. Oyelekan Akingbade, National Publicity Secretary Dr. Abayomi Arabambi, and National Treasurer Mrs. Oluchi Opara Apapa confirmed that the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) as constituted in 2022 will convene on Monday, April 14, 2025.
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The statement read: “Following the dismissal of the cross-appeal filed by the ousted former National Chairman, Barr. Julius Abure, also by the Supreme Court on 4th April 2025, what this means is that all actions and decisions taken by Julius Abure since 4th April 2023 are null and void.”
Apapa continued: “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 (chairman), 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 added that his leadership will convene the NWC meeting to outline the party’s plans, including a new zoning arrangement: “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.”
Apapa also pledged that under his leadership, the party would take proactive steps to revive and reactivate the Labour Party’s Board of Trustees, which he described as currently moribund.