Explosive Clash: Apapa Accuses Abure Of Being Funded By Peter Obi And Otti In Labour Party Power Struggle

Lamidi Apapa, the factional leader of the Labour Party (LP), has reiterated his call for Julius Abure, along with his supporters, including 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti, to step down from their positions of leadership within the party.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Apapa, who returned last week after a two-year hiatus, reaffirmed his stance as the legitimate acting National Chairman of the Labour Party following a recent Supreme Court ruling that invalidated the Court of Appeal’s recognition of Abure.

In an interview with The PUNCH, Apapa highlighted that the Supreme Court’s ruling aligns with earlier decisions that had previously restrained Abure, further solidifying his leadership position according to the party’s constitution.

He explained, “If the chairman is unable to perform his duties, the deputy takes over. This is what Article 14 (2) A and B of our constitution stipulates.”

Apapa insisted that his actions were not driven by personal ambition but by the urgent need to resolve the ongoing crisis within the party. “The party is in crisis, and someone has to take control. I’ve acted within the constitutional framework,” he stated.

He also rejected the legitimacy of the Nenadi Usman-led caretaker committee, which has gained traction within the party, claiming it lacks constitutional validity.

On his prolonged absence, Apapa admitted that the extensive legal battles over the past two years had taken a toll on him. “I needed to take a break. The constant court cases over the past two years were exhausting. But now, with the Supreme Court judgment, it’s necessary for me to return,” he shared.

However, the Abure-led faction has fiercely opposed Apapa’s claims. National Publicity Secretary Obiora Ifoh dismissed Apapa’s assertions, accusing him of being used by external forces to destabilize the party.

“He’s likely being sponsored by the Nenadi Usman camp, possibly even Peter Obi and Governor Otti. One of their people visited him two months ago and gave him money while he was ill,” Ifoh alleged.

Ifoh further questioned the validity of Apapa’s return, pointing out that the Labour Party had not issued any official statement regarding his re-emergence and that his position is not recognized within the party.

“How can we sponsor someone like him? His actions are just a way of repaying the financial support he received. We don’t take him seriously,” he concluded.

Efforts to reach the Nenadi Usman Caretaker Committee for a response were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.