Labour Party in Turmoil: Apapa Claims Leadership Amidst Supreme Court Fallout

ABUJA, Nigeria – The Labour Party (LP) has plunged into deeper chaos as Lamidi Apapa declared himself the acting National Chairman on April 9, 2025, triggering a complex three-way leadership struggle. This dramatic move follows a Supreme Court ruling that nullified Julius Abure’s leadership, throwing the party’s future into uncertainty.

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The Supreme Court’s decision, delivered on April 4, 2025, centered on the invalidation of Abure’s re-election at a 2023 Anambra convention. The apex court ruled that Abure’s tenure had expired according to the LP’s constitution, and it dismissed his cross-appeal, stating the Court of Appeal lacked jurisdiction over the party’s internal affairs. This effectively nullified all actions taken by Abure since April 2023.

A Fractured Leadership
The court’s ruling has ignited a fierce power struggle within the LP, resulting in a three-way split:

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• Lamidi Apapa: Citing Article 14 of the LP’s constitution and the Supreme Court’s decision, Apapa, who claims to be the “most senior deputy,” has seized control, announcing plans to convene the National Working Committee (NWC) on April 14. “I hereby take over the running of the party… with Alh Farouk Umar Ibrahim as National Secretary,” Apapa declared.
• Julius Abure: Abure’s allies maintain he remains the legitimate chairman, arguing that the Supreme Court affirmed the party’s autonomy and did not explicitly remove him. His camp had previously dismissed Apapa’s claims as “fake news.” Obiora Ifoh, Abure’s spokesperson, stated, “The Supreme Court did not sack Abure… party structures retain leadership authority.”
• Nenadi Usman: Leading a 29-member caretaker committee formed in September 2024, Usman’s faction, backed by Abia Governor Alex Otti and endorsed by Peter Obi, seeks to consolidate control. Usman’s camp hailed the Supreme Court’s verdict as a “victory for rule of law,” calling for unity. “The LP remains one indivisible family… committed to justice and equity,” she stated.
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  Supreme Court Ruling Sparks Crisis
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  The Supreme Court’s decision, which deemed Abure’s 2023 re-election invalid, has emboldened Apapa’s faction. They now assert that all of Abure’s decisions since 2023 are “null and void.” The ruling stemmed from a dispute originating in 2023, when LP treasurer Oluchi Oparah accused Abure of misappropriating N3.5 billion, leading to a High Court injunction against Abure.
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  The Road Ahead
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  The upcoming NWC meeting convened by Apapa on April 14 is expected to escalate tensions. Meanwhile, Usman’s caretaker committee aims to stabilize the party and prepare for potential fresh elections. The LP’s ability to resolve this internal conflict will be crucial for its prospects in the 2027 elections.
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  The party now faces a critical juncture, with its unity and future hanging in the balance.