Alhaji Bashiru Lamidi Apapa has declared himself the Acting National Chairman of the Labour Party, citing a recent Supreme Court ruling as justification for his takeover. This dramatic development was announced at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday.
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Apapa’s bold move is predicated on a Supreme Court judgment delivered on April 4, 2025, in Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CV/1217/2024 and Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1271/2024. According to Apapa, this apex court ruling effectively invalidates all decisions and actions taken by Barrister Julius Abure since April 4, 2023.
During the press conference, Apapa elucidated on the Supreme Court’s decision, stating, “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.”
Relying on Article 14(2)(a)(b) of the Labour Party Constitution, Apapa asserted that, as the most senior Deputy National Chairman, he is now constitutionally empowered to assume leadership in an acting capacity. In a related development, Apapa announced the appointment of Alhaji Farouk Umar Ibrahim as the Acting National Secretary of the party.
Furthermore, Apapa revealed that the National Working Committee (NWC), as constituted in 2022, will convene on Monday, April 14, 2025. The meeting’s agenda includes the formulation of a new strategic roadmap for the party. Key components of this roadmap involve zoning the National Chairmanship to the North and the Secretary position to the South.
Apapa emphasized the need for internal democracy and inclusion within the party, stating, “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.”
In addition, Apapa disclosed that preparations are underway for fresh congresses at all levels—ward, local government, state, and national—aimed at re-establishing grassroots participation and internal legitimacy. Notably, only financial members will be eligible to vote or contest in these congresses.
It is worth noting that a separate faction of the Labour Party, loyal to 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti, convened a National Executive Meeting earlier today, underscoring the ongoing internal dynamics within the party.