In a significant development for the Labour Party (LP), Deputy National Chairman, South, Lamidi Apapa, has dissolved his faction and acknowledged Julius Abure as the party’s national chairman.
This move signals a potential end to the prolonged leadership dispute within the party.
The reconciliation is aimed at presenting a united front against the presidential candidate for the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), ThisDay reported on Sunday.
The internal conflict between Abure and Apapa had threatened to split the party, with both sides filing separate appeals during the presidential election petition. Apapa’s faction had previously taken actions seen as undermining the party, including an attempt to withdraw Obi’s petition against President Bola Tinubu.
The NLC had supported Abure during the conflict. However, the new agreement between Abure and Apapa appears to be a strategic move against the NLC’s efforts to influence the party.
Abure’s relationship with the NLC deteriorated following a controversial national convention in Anambra State, which re-elected him and his allies, prompting the NLC to call for a new leadership and organize picketing at LP offices nationwide.
An insider at the LP national secretariat revealed that Abure sought unity with Apapa’s faction to counter the NLC’s pressure and address differences with Obi. The source noted, “It is the only logical way for him to have a united front against the threat of the NLC in particular.”
Abayomi Arabambi, spokesperson for Apapa’s camp, confirmed the reconciliation, stating, “Yes, it is true. The reconciliation was done to fight a common enemy.” He identified the common enemy as Peter Obi and NLC President Joe Ajaero, rejecting claims that the party reserved the 2027 presidential ticket for Obi as “a complete fallacy.”
Arabambi emphasized their goal to prevent political manipulation by the NLC, saying, “We thought they were fighting for a just cause, but it is very obvious they only want to take over our party, and we are not going to accept that.”
Obiora Ifoh, the LP’s National Publicity Secretary, also confirmed the reunion, describing it as a strategic move to advance the party. He stated, “They have reconciled and Apapa has reverted to his earlier position as the Deputy National Chairman, South. Apapa pledged solidarity with the Abure-led National Working Committee.”
Ifoh added that the party is now largely united, with only minor opposition remaining, and expressed confidence that dissenting members would eventually align with the main party led by Abure. He mentioned ongoing discussions with the NLC leadership to strengthen the Labour Party ahead of the 2027 elections and the upcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo.
(THISDAY)
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