Abuja, April 10, 2025 — The Labour Party’s internal leadership crisis has taken a new turn, as Alhaji Lamidi Apapa on Wednesday declared himself the acting National Chairman of the party, citing the recent Supreme Court judgment which he claimed invalidated Julius Abure’s leadership.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Apapa argued that the Supreme Court’s April 4 ruling, which struck out a lower court decision recognizing Abure, opened the door for him—as the most senior Deputy National Chairman—to assume the party’s top office in an acting capacity.
“I, Alhaji Bashiru Lamidi Apapa, the most senior deputy national, and in consonance with our party constitution, hereby take over the running of the affairs of our great party,” he declared. He also named Farouk Umar Ibrahim as the acting National Secretary.
Conflicting Interpretations of Supreme Court Ruling
The development follows a Supreme Court decision by a five-member panel that struck out an appeal by Abure, ruling that leadership disputes within political parties are internal matters and fall outside the jurisdiction of the courts. The court also noted that Abure’s term may have technically expired.
Apapa and his allies have interpreted this as justification for a change in leadership. However, Abure’s faction has strongly rejected the claim.
Abure Camp Defends Tenure
In a swift rebuttal, Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiorah Ifoh, said the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Supreme Court ruling affirmed the principle of party supremacy and did not appoint any new leadership.
“There is nowhere it stated that the leadership of Barrister Julius Abure has elapsed or that Nenadi Usman and her committee were directed to take over,” Ifoh said, adding that Abure remains the party’s duly elected national chairman, with a mandate lasting until 2027.
A Third Faction Joins the Fray
Complicating matters further, a caretaker committee led by Senator Esther Nenadi Usman and Senator Darlington Nwokocha was earlier constituted by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) at a meeting in Umuahia before the Supreme Court ruling.
This group has received the backing of influential party members, including the 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, and Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti.
INEC Yet to Decide
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is now at the center of the controversy, as all three factions await the commission’s position on who it recognizes as the legitimate leader of the party.
Earlier this week, Governor Otti led a delegation to INEC headquarters in Abuja to submit the Supreme Court judgment. Acting INEC Chairman, Sam Olumekun, acknowledged receipt and assured the delegation that the Commission would study the ruling and respond in accordance with the law.
Implications for Labour Party Unity
With the 2027 general elections fast approaching, political analysts warn that the deepening rift could jeopardize the Labour Party’s cohesion and momentum. The party rose to national prominence during the 2023 elections but now faces a leadership battle that threatens its future prospects.
As the situation unfolds, party stakeholders and members await further clarifications from INEC and possibly the courts, with the fate of the Labour Party’s national leadership still unresolved.
