The ongoing leadership dispute within the Labour Party took a decisive twist on Wednesday as Alhaji Bashiru Lamidi Apapa formally announced himself as the Acting National Chairman of the party. Citing a recent Supreme Court ruling, Apapa asserted that the decision provided the legal foundation for his assumption of office, okay.ng reports.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Apapa referenced the 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 him, the ruling nullified all actions taken by Barrister Julius Abure since April 4, 2023, and dismissed Abure’s cross-appeal, thereby invalidating earlier judgments that affirmed Abure’s position as National Chairman.
“The Supreme Court reprimanded the lower courts for exceeding their jurisdiction,” Apapa stated. “It reaffirmed that matters concerning internal party leadership are non-justiciable and fall outside the purview of the courts.”
Invoking Article 14(2)(a)(b) of the Labour Party Constitution, Apapa declared that, as the most senior Deputy National Chairman, he would henceforth assume the role of Acting National Chairman. He further announced the appointment of Alhaji Farouk Umar Ibrahim as the Acting National Secretary.
This development marks a major shift in the party’s internal structure and could pave the way for renewed legal and political battles. Apapa disclosed that the National Working Committee (NWC), as constituted in 2022, would reconvene on Monday, April 14, 2025, to chart a new strategic direction for the party.
A key item on the agenda is the zoning of the National Chairman’s position to the North, while the role of National Secretary will be allocated to the South.
“We are also initiating steps to revive and operationalize the Board of Trustees. The era of exclusion is over—real internal democracy must take root in our party,” Apapa emphasized.
He concluded by revealing plans to organize fresh congresses across all levels—ward, local government, state, and national—to ensure that all financial members of the party can participate in the democratic process.
