Labour Party Leadership Crisis: Battle Shifts to INEC as Abure, Usman, Apapa Seek Recognition

The protracted leadership crisis rocking the Labour Party (LP) has taken a dramatic turn as three rival factions lay claim to the party’s national leadership. The struggle for supremacy has now shifted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which is being urged to determine the authentic leadership structure of the Labour party amid conflicting interpretations of a recent Supreme Court judgement.

Apapa Declares Himself National Chairman Citing Supreme Court Verdict

Lamidi Apapa, a factional leader of the Labour Party, on Wednesday, declared himself as the National Chairman of the party during a press conference in Abuja. Citing the April 4 Supreme Court judgement as the legal basis for his declaration, Apapa stated that the ruling effectively nullified the leadership of Julius Abure and thus paved the way for his emergence as the Labour party’s leader.

Apapa argued that in line with Article 14 2(a)(b) of the Labour Party constitution, he, as the most senior deputy national officer, was constitutionally empowered to assume leadership in an acting capacity. He also announced Alhaji Farouk Umar Ibrahim as the acting National Secretary.

“Following the decision of the Supreme Court on setting aside all judgements that recognised the leadership of Julius Abure as National Chairman, I, ALH BASHIRU LAMIDI APAPA, hereby take over the running of the affairs of our great Labour party with effect from today,” he declared.

Supreme Court Ruling Sparks Power Struggle within Labour Party

The leadership tussle intensified after a five-man panel of the Supreme Court ruled that the judiciary has no jurisdiction over internal party leadership matters. The apex court nullified an earlier Court of Appeal judgement that had recognised Abure as Labour Party National Chairman, stating that such matters are the prerogative of political parties.

The judgment added that based on submissions before it, Abure’s tenure had already expired. Before the ruling, the Labour party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) met in Abia State and removed Abure, appointing a 29-member caretaker committee led by former finance minister and senator, Esther Nenadi Usman, with Darlington Nwokocha as secretary.

This caretaker leadership, supported by prominent figures like former presidential candidate Peter Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti, has since presented itself as the legitimate authority in the party, further complicating the situation.

Abure Camp Disputes Ruling Interpretation

Reacting to the developments, the Julius Abure-led faction has refuted claims that the Supreme Court ruling invalidated his leadership. National Publicity Secretary of the Labour party Obiorah Ifoh, insisted that the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment did not strip Abure of his mandate or authorise any caretaker committee to assume control.

“The leadership of the Labour Party ably led by Barrister Julius Abure has been vindicated by the content of the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Supreme Court judgement,” Ifoh said. “There is nowhere it stated that the leadership of the Abure-led executive has elapsed or that Nenadi Usman and her caretaker committee have been directed to take over the leadership of the Labour Party.”

Ifoh argued that the party’s national convention held in March 2024 duly elected its leadership for a four-year tenure ending in 2027. He warned those “factionalising the party” to desist, stating that any meeting or decision outside the party’s constitutional process is illegal and subject to disciplinary measures.

Internal Division Deepens Amid Accusations and Warnings

Tensions within the party continue to escalate as both sides accuse each other of plotting to destabilize LP ahead of crucial electoral seasons. Ifoh further accused Apapa’s camp of being tools in a larger conspiracy to weaken the party from within.

“There is a leadership that was elected in March 2024 for a tenure of four years, which will end in 2027; there is no vacuum whatsoever,” Ifoh told opitanglobamedia. He also questioned recent secret meetings between Apapa and unnamed LP figures, suggesting that these engagements may have precipitated Apapa’s declaration.

He warned that factionalism would only hurt the party’s credibility and chances in future elections, calling on dissenters to retrace their steps and work toward unity.

INEC’s Recognition Now a Decisive Factor

As the leadership dispute rages on, the focus has shifted to INEC, which holds the key to recognising any of the three factions. Earlier in the week, Governor Alex Otti led LP leaders to INEC’s headquarters in Abuja, where they presented the CTC of the Supreme Court judgement and urged the Commission to recognise the Usman-led caretaker committee.

INEC’s Acting Chairman, Mr. Sam Olumekun, received the delegation and reassured them of the Commission’s commitment to neutrality, transparency, and upholding the rule of law. “INEC remains an unbiased institution and will carefully study the judgement before taking any action,” Olumekun said.

As the Commission deliberates on the documents and competing claims, the political future of the Labour Party hangs in the balance. Observers note that INEC’s decision could either solidify one leadership or plunge the party into deeper crisis with legal and electoral consequences.

The Labour Party finds itself in a critical phase where internal discord threatens to undermine its rising national profile. With three factions now battling for control, all eyes are on INEC’s next move — a decision that could either restore order or deepen the fractures in one of Nigeria’s most watched opposition parties.