Nigeria’s Labour Party (LP) is facing its most turbulent leadership crisis yet, as three powerful factions have emerged, each claiming the party’s top seat in the wake of a Supreme Court judgment delivered last Friday.
The ruling, which effectively nullified Julius Abure’s continued claim to the national chairmanship, has triggered a dramatic leadership contest between the Esther Nenadi-Usman-led National Caretaker Committee (NCC), the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and Deputy National Chairman Lamidi Apapa.
The situation has thrown the party into uncertainty, just months ahead of key electoral events, including the November 8 Anambra governorship election.
Senator Esther Nenadi-Usman, leading the newly constituted National Caretaker Committee, has the backing of LP’s only sitting governor, Alex Otti of Abia, and 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi. On Tuesday, the trio led a delegation to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Abuja, where they submitted the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Supreme Court ruling and requested the de-recognition of Julius Abure as national chairman.
Obi emphasized that the court ruling legitimized the NCC’s leadership, calling for a return to grassroots democracy through ward-to-national level congresses. Otti echoed the sentiment, describing Abure’s continued leadership after the expiration of his tenure as illegitimate.
Despite the party’s turmoil, Obi confirmed he remains committed to the Labour Party, dismissing any rumours of defection. “We want to build a fair and just party. Everyone should be allowed to contest freely,” he stated.
The NCC also resolved to hold fresh primaries for the Anambra governorship poll, contesting the earlier selection of George Moghalu by Abure’s faction.
Julius Abure, however, has vowed not to step down, insisting he remains the authentic national chairman. He accused Nenadi-Usman, Otti, and Obi of attempting to hijack the party structure in anticipation of the 2027 general elections.
“Their interest is not about party unity or progress, but about securing personal political ambitions,” Abure said, vowing to continue legal and political resistance.
NLC Declares Nationwide Takeover of LP Secretariats
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) added a third front to the crisis by directing its state councils to take control of Labour Party secretariats nationwide. In a statement issued by NLC President Joe Ajaero, the congress said a new interim leadership would be formed to conduct a Special National Convention in line with the party constitution and the Supreme Court judgment.
The NLC called on INEC to remove all recognition of Abure’s leadership and warned security agencies to support the court ruling or risk enabling lawlessness.
“We will not sit back while characters like Julius Abure desecrate the judiciary and the Labour Party,” Ajaero said. “The NLC is mobilizing members and stakeholders to restore sanity to the party.”
In a surprise twist, Lamidi Apapa, former Deputy National Chairman (South), has re-emerged, declaring himself acting national chairman in a press conference in Ibadan.
Apapa said the Supreme Court ruling invalidated all actions taken by Abure since April 2023, giving him the constitutional right to assume leadership. He announced a National Working Committee (NWC) meeting scheduled for April 14, where plans for leadership zoning and party restructuring will be unveiled.
Apapa’s leadership is backed by senior party officials including Deputy Chairmen Ladi Iliya (NLC) and Dr Ayo Olorunfemi (TUC), raising concerns of a possible coalition with the NLC faction.
Following the submission of court documents by the Obi-Otti-Nenadi-Usman delegation, INEC’s Acting Chairman Sam Olumekun acknowledged the receipt and emphasized the Commission’s commitment to neutrality and rule of law. However, no formal position has been taken yet by the Commission regarding the multiple claims to the chairmanship.
Observers are now watching to see which faction INEC recognizes a decision that could shape the future of the Labour Party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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