ABUJA, Nigeria – The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Labour Party (LP) has taken swift action to prevent a plot by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to undermine the party leadership and disrupt the petition filed by LP’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
In response to Lamidi Apapa’s self-proclamation as acting chairman of the LP, the NEC convened an emergency meeting in Asaba last week, resulting in the suspension of Apapa and expulsion of Arabambi Abayomi, the National Publicity Secretary.
The NEC meeting also recommended the expulsion of suspended National Youth Leader, Anselm Eragbe, and extended the tenure of Julius Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC) by one year to prevent further fractionalization within the party.
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Acting National Publicity Secretary of the party, Obiora Ifoh, dismissed the need for an acting National Chairman, asserting that Julius Abure remains the substantive Chairman due to a court order halting his suspension.
Ifoh accused the Apapa group of having an ulterior motive and noted that Ladi IIiya, the Deputy National Chairman, should have been appointed to act in Abure’s absence.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and 37 state chairmen of the party showed their support for Abure by attending the Asaba meeting, where stability was restored within the party.
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, has also been implicated in the LP crisis, allegedly working to weaken the party in the lead-up to off-season governorship elections in November.
In response to allegations surrounding the LP gubernatorial primary election in Imo State, Obiora Ifoh confirmed the party’s recognition of the primary conducted by Abia State governor-elect, Alex Otti, which resulted in the nomination of Senator Athan Achonu.
Ifoh maintained that allegations of irregularities have not been substantiated and that Achonu’s name has been submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
