Labour Party Crisis: More Arrests Coming-Lamidi Apapa Group

From Omah Ngozi, Awka

June 16,2023

The Alhaji Lamidi Bashiru Apapa-led faction of the Labour party has commended the Directorate of State Services, DSS, over the reported arrest of the embattled National Chairman of the party -Barrister Julius Abure today.

Rising from a crucial 3-hour State Working Committee meeting in Awka Friday afternoon, the state chairman, Hon Peter Okoye told journalists that Abure's arrest was only the beginning of a floodgate of arrest of more bigwigs in the party.

He accused them of "turning the party into their private financial estate and cashcow, until the arrival of Alh Apapa to salvage what was once a fledgling political party of the masses..."

Making copies of the May 3,2023 resolutions of the party available, as well as the order of Federal High Court, sitting in Maitama Abuja that suspended Abure and three others from parading themselves as officers of the party, Okoye stated that contrary to a general insinuation that Alh Apapa came as a snitch planted to destabilize the aspiration of H/E Peter Obi.

"No, far from that. We are not against Obi in any way. We are solidly behind him in his quest to reclaim his mandate.

"It's reason we met today to appraise progress and development within the party. 

"The state executive committee met alongside the chairmen of the 21 Councils of Anambra State, and we used the opportunity to situation of things to them, including the litigations(court cases) within the party. We presented to them the court order suspending Abure, as well as the pending appeal by him. That is his preliminary objection that the FCT High Court lacked jurisdiction in the matter in the first instance".

"We also explained the rationale behind suspension of the 36 State chairmen and Secretaries. Because they went to hold meeting with Abure, inviting Senators/House of Representatives members-elect, Obi and his running mate.

"This was considered a grave offence, an affront, hence the state officers were suspended", Okoye disclosed.

Okoye confirmed a trending grapevine report that Alh Apapa intends to visit the Anambra state soon, admitting he has concluded plans for the visit to the State chapter of the party once Abure's appeal was successfully dispensed with.

Reading out their resolutions, the Idemili North Chairman/chairman of all Chairmen, Comrade Obiora Ochudo, emphasizing their unflinching support and backing of the Lamidi Apapa-led National exco.

"We also agreed to leave no stone unturned to ensure LP take over Anambra State in next election.

"We are fully behind Peter Obi in his efforts to reclaim his mandate at the Presidential Election Tribunal.

" We are also solidly behind our state chairman, Hon Peter Okoye in his quest to make Anambra purely LP enclave in next election.

"The party equally resolved to strengthen the party structures at the State, Councils and Ward levels...", Comrade Ochudo added.

Appraising the membership drive so far, the State Vice Chairman (Central), Pastor Conatus Odaba expressed satisfaction with efforts of members so far. 

He pointed out that during the February 25,2023 general election the party was accused of lacking grassroots structures. So we are determined to entrenching LP in all nooks and crannies of Nigeria, particularly Anambra State.

He admitted that it's open secret that virtually all citizens were already tired of the All Progressives Grand Alliance(APGA), Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), and All Progressives Congress(APC). 

"So, the next viable option accepted by the people is LP...", Odaba noted.