Bashiru Lamidi Apapa has officially declared himself the acting National Chairman of the Labour Party, following a Supreme Court ruling that ousted Julius Abure from the position. Apapa made this announcement on Wednesday, citing the April 4, 2025, Supreme Court judgment, which nullified Abure’s leadership and dismissed his appeal.
At a press conference, Apapa outlined the implications of the Supreme Court’s ruling, stating that all actions taken by Abure since April 4, 2023, are now considered null and void. Apapa, as the most senior deputy national chairman, invoked the party’s constitution, Article 14 2(a)(b), to assume leadership in an acting capacity. He also named Alhaji Farouk Umar Ibrahim as the new National Secretary of the party.
In his address, Apapa announced that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Labour Party, as of 2022, would meet on Monday, April 14, 2025, to discuss key plans, including zoning the position of National Chairman to the North and National Secretary to the South. He also expressed intentions to revitalize the party’s Board of Trustees and take steps to reorganize party congresses at various levels.
Meanwhile, a faction of the party, led by 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti, marched to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to push for the recognition of Nenadi Usman as the legitimate Labour Party chair. This came after the Supreme Court set aside the Court of Appeal’s judgment, which had recognized Abure as the National Chairman.
The leadership dispute continues to evolve, with both factions now focused on solidifying their positions and seeking official recognition from electoral authorities.
