The Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party has called on all arms of Nigeria’s judiciary, including tribunals and courts to ignore a letter from the Lamidi Apapa-led faction of the party.
According to the party, the letter is seeking the withdrawal of pending cases in the Election Petition Tribunals including that of the presidential candidate, Peter Obi challenging the victory of the ‘President-elect’, Bola Tinubu in the February 25 election.
Shortly after the presidential election, the party has been rocked by a leadership crisis.
The party’s candidate, Peter Obi and former governor of Anambra state came in third position in the presidential poll, according to results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
However, the party in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Acting National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, called on the security agencies especially, the police, Department of State Services (DSS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arrest Apapa and his cohorts immediately, describing them as enemies of democracy.
The statement reads, “Daily, the evil intention of the breakaway faction of the Labour Party, led by the suspended Deputy National Chairman, Lamidi Apapa continues to manifest and just this morning, our legal team was confronted by the stark revelation that these men have advanced their plot by approaching all the tribunals where our numerous candidates lodged their election petitions arising from the recently held general election.
“Alongside Lamidi Apapa on the plot to frustrate Labour Party’s destined victory in the tribunals and also to derail the fledgling democracy are some of the suspended members including the Samuel Akingbade, Gbenga Daramola, Anselem Eragbe and Abayomi Arabambi erstwhile National Legal Adviser, National Financial Secretary, National Youth Leader and National Publicity Secretary respectively amongst others.
“Recall that the leadership of the Labour Party has been swimming through the murky waters of conspiracy, treachery and sabotage orchestrated by these former officers of the party.
“We had long suspected that moles were planted to sabotage the efforts of the party to offer Nigerians an alternative to the wicked and clueless governance in place today, but the desperation to satisfy their paymaster are beginning to threaten our common peace and of course our democracy.
“Approaching the tribunals to withdraw all the cases lodged by Labour Party candidates across the board is the height of subterfuge and treachery, and Nigerians will resist this ploy to plunge the nation into unnecessary turmoil.
“Their actions show that they are working against the party and that they are working to destroy the party. If they claim that they have problem with the national leadership of the party, will they also claim that they have problem with the candidates of the party? What offence have the candidates of the party committed that they are now moving around to withdraw their matters from the tribunal?
“The leadership of the Labour Party is therefore calling on the tribunals to disregard any letter emanating from our suspended National Legal Adviser, Samuel Akingbade to the effect that all our cases are to be withdrawn.
“We are also calling on the presidential election tribunal to disregard such letters from these ex-officials of our party asking for the withdrawal of HE Peter Obi’s petition.
“We also call on the Police, DSS and EFCC to quickly apprehend and question these agents of destruction before they succeed in igniting the nation.”
Regarding his position as the acting National Publicity Secretary of the party, Ifoh said, “Shortly after the general election, the party had written to all the relevant bodies including the INEC of its intention to hold its NEC in line with the provision of the law. It also informed the DSS and Police of that intention.
“All stakeholders including the state chairmen and their secretaries, Zonal officers, owners and trustees of the party including Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), some elected members of the party as well as the leader and presidential candidate of the party amongst others met in Asaba on April 18, where I was elected as the National Publicity Secretary due to the vacancy that occurred after the expulsion of the former National Publicity Secretary in line with the powers conferred on it.”
He cited Article 14(2) b Section XIV of the Labour Party Constitution on the Powers and Function of the NEC which says, “To fill vacancies in the NWC as they may occur from time to time in between National Convention; Also Section XV states; To take disciplinary action against any member or organ of the party as it may seem fit in the interest of the party.
“All relevant government agencies including NEC were present where I was unanimously elected.”
He described it as ludicrous that an ‘impostor’ (Eragbe) who allegedly committed a crime and forged signatures upon which he was suspended over six months ago had to turn around and call people impostors.
“I wonder who is the imposter here,” Ifoh said.
He queried, “Is this the character one will be taking seriously? I am the current National Publicity Secretary and the resolution of the NEC has already been filed with relevant authorities. We urge the media to ignore the ranting of this exposed and disgraced former Youth Leader.”
