In a recent development within the Labour Party, Lamidi Apampa, the factional leader of the party, has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the legal counsels of the party's presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to brief him on the ongoing presidential election petitions tribunal. This ultimatum came after a parallel meeting of the National Executive Council of the party in Bauchi. It coincided with a ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja in favor of Apampa as the acting national chairman of the party.
Justice Hamza Muazu, in his ruling, stated that he would proceed to hear the substantive matter but adjourned the case for further deliberation on May 19. Apampa expressed his satisfaction with the ruling, declaring himself the acting national chairman and warning anyone who parades as chairman without his authority. However, the Acting National Publicity Secretary of the party, Obiora Ifoh, cautioned against viewing the ruling as a substantive judgment by the court.
Ifoh emphasized that the purpose of the recent court sitting was to determine the jurisdiction of the court, rather than to deliver a final judgment. He revealed the party's plan to appeal the ruling, maintaining that Julius Abure remains the national chairman until the matter is conclusively resolved. Abure himself expressed his intention to appeal the ruling, stressing that the court's assumption of jurisdiction was only a preliminary step.
The Labour Party has been embroiled in a crisis, with Apampa and Abure at odds over leadership. Abure blamed Apampa and the factional National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, for the party's present predicament, accusing them of being influenced by external forces. Abure affirmed his determination to defend the party's interests and legal cases.
As the matter continues to unfold, it is evident that the recent ruling should not be hastily regarded as a substantive judgment. The party is preparing to challenge the decision and seek justice through the appellate courts. The resolution of this internal dispute is crucial for the Labour Party to regain stability and focus on its aspirations moving forward.
Source: Vanguard Newspaper
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