The Labour Party‘s (LP) National Chairman Julius Abure has received the backing of the party’s 36 state chairmen and some members of its National Working Committee following the leadership crisis that has engulfed the party in recent days.
They told the press on Saturday that Lamidi Apapa’s and a few other people’s actions were illegal and that any choices made were null and void. Apapa declared himself the party’s national chair in the aftermath of a new legal crisis shaking the party, whose flag bearer, Peter Obi, is contesting the results of the February 25 presidential election.
The party’s 36 state chairperson urged Abure, whom they recognize as the party’s national chairman, to convene a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting immediately.
They gave Abure a vote of confidence while keeping Yomi Arabambi and Anslem Eragbe suspended from the party.
They applauded the decision of the party’s trustees, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to support Abure, urging that due procedure be followed before any removal or suspension could take effect.
On Wednesday, the Federal Capital Territory High Court removed Abure as LP chairman and barred three others from acting as party national officers. This came after an ex-parte application by James Onoja.
However, on the same day, a State High Court sitting in Benin prevented LP and all its members from suspending its national officers until the outcome of the motion on notice.
