The lingering leadership tussle within the Labour Party took a dramatic turn on Wednesday as Alhaji Bashiru Lamidi Apapa formally declared himself the Acting National Chairman of the party, citing a fresh ruling of the Supreme Court as the legal basis for his assumption of office.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja, Apapa stated that the apex court’s judgment in Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CV/1217/2024 and Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1271/2024, delivered on April 4, 2025, had effectively nullified all actions taken by Barrister Julius Abure since April 4, 2023. According to Apapa, the court not only dismissed Abure’s cross-appeal but also set aside all previous judgments that recognized him as the National Chairman of the Labour Party.
“The Supreme Court lambasted the two lower courts for exceeding their jurisdiction. They rightly noted that issues regarding the internal leadership of a political party are non-justiciable and outside the jurisdiction of the courts,” Apapa said.
He emphasized that in accordance with Article 14(2)(a)(b) of the Labour Party Constitution, he, as the most senior Deputy National Chairman, would immediately assume leadership of the party in an acting capacity. Apapa also announced Alhaji Farouk Umar Ibrahim as the Acting National Secretary.
Apapa’s move signals a significant shift in the Labour Party’s internal dynamics, potentially setting the stage for another round of legal and political wrangling.
He revealed that the National Working Committee (NWC), as constituted in 2022, would reconvene on Monday, April 14, 2025, to unveil a new strategic direction for the party. Top among the agenda is the zoning of the National Chairman’s position to the North, while the office of the National Secretary would go to the South.
“We are also taking proactive steps to resuscitate the moribund Board of Trustees and make it functional again. The time has come for real internal democracy and inclusion in our great party,” Apapa declared.
He further disclosed that preparations were underway to conduct fresh congresses at the ward, local government, state, and national levels, ensuring that every financial member of the party would have the opportunity to participate.
