The factional National Chairman of the Labour Party, Mr. Lamidi Apapa, has denied claims that he received N500 million to sabotage the outcome of the party’s case at the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC). Apapa addressed the press after he narrowly escaped a mob attack by angry youths at the PEPC in Abuja on Wednesday.
Apapa also called on Mr. Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate during the Feb. 25 Presidential Election, to intervene in the leadership tussle of the party objectively. He added that an unbiased and objective approach from Obi could help in resolving the crisis in the party’s leadership.
Apapa expressed disappointment over the crisis at the PEPC in the presence of Peter Obi, describing it as a disgraceful act and a test to his leadership quality. According to Apapa, the crisis would have been averted if Obi had respected the order of the FCT High Court. The court had directed Julius Abure and three others to cease parading themselves as national officers of the party.
Explaining the origin of the dispute, Apapa stated that after the court order was issued, he was unanimously chosen to act as the party’s chairman. He maintained that despite the court order, Obi accorded respect to Abure, whose claim to being a national officer was challenged by the court. Apapa implored Obi to be open-minded and neutral to end the impasse.
The press conference was attended by the Deputy National Chairman of the Party in the North, Mr. Mike Auta, the National Publicity Secretary, Olufemi Arabambi, and the Acting Women Leader, Rukkayat Salihu. As the leadership crisis continues to unfold in the Labour Party, observers are keenly watching to see how the party can resolve their differences and unify to become a formidable force in Nigerian politics.
