KEY POINTS

• Lamidi Apapa claims Labour Party leadership after Supreme Court nullified Abure’s chairmanship, scheduling NWC meeting to reorganize party structure
• Judges rebuked lower courts for overreach in party affairs, emphasizing constitutional internal resolution mechanisms
• Crisis threatens party unity ahead of 2027 polls as competing factions emerge with conflicting legitimacy claims

The Labour Party plunged deeper into crisis on Wednesday as Lamidi Apapa declared himself acting national chairman, citing last week’s Supreme Court judgment that nullified Julius Abure’s leadership.

At a tense press conference in Abuja, Apapa announced immediate plans to reconstitute the party’s leadership structure, including zoning key positions ahead of fresh congresses.

“All actions taken by Julius Abure since April 2023 are null and void,” Apapa asserted, brandishing the Supreme Court’s certified judgment. “In line with Article 14 of our constitution, I’m taking over the party’s affairs to restore constitutional order.” The self-proclaimed interim leader scheduled an NWC meeting for April 14 to commence ward-to-national conventions, proposing to zone the chairmanship to northern Nigeria and secretaryship to the south.

Supreme Court rebukes judicial overreach in scathing ruling

The April 4 judgment saw a five-member panel overturn lower courts’ recognition of Abure, with Justice Uwani Abba-Aji delivering a blistering critique: “The lower court strayed where angels dread to tread by pronouncing Abure chairman.”

According to SaharaReporters, the ruling emphasized that courts lack jurisdiction over internal party leadership disputes, admonishing political parties to resolve conflicts through their constitutions rather than litigation.

Political analysts note the crisis stems from Abure’s controversial 2022 re-election, which opponents deemed unconstitutional. Apapa’s faction now seeks to capitalize on the vacuum, listing purported NWC members including Alhaji Farouk Ibrahim (secretary) and Dr. Abayomi Arabambi (publicity secretary).

However, Abure loyalists maintain his March 2024 convention remains valid, setting the stage for parallel structures.

The turmoil threatens to derail the opposition party’s momentum ahead of 2027 elections, with key figures like Peter Obi yet to declare allegiance. Legal experts warn the Supreme Court’s refusal to validate any faction leaves the door open for further disputes unless an inclusive convention is held.