The Labour Party faces a major crisis as Lamidi Apapa declares himself chairman after a Supreme Court judgment, splitting the party into three factions. With internal battles brewing, Nigeria’s political scene braces for the impact ahead of upcoming elections, casting uncertainty over Labour’s future leadership and unity.
The Labour Party’s internal conflict deepened on Wednesday as Lamidi Apapa resurfaced and declared himself the rightful chairman, escalating tensions within Nigeria's fast-rising political movement.
The latest twist emerged after the Supreme Court’s recent decision overturned an earlier appellate ruling that affirmed Julius Abure’s leadership. Armed with the Certified True Copy of the judgment, Apapa argued that he is now constitutionally empowered to lead the party as the most senior National Deputy Chairman.
His announcement has thrown the Labour Party into further disarray, splitting it into three distinct camps: the Abure-led National Working Committee; the Nenadi Usman-led Caretaker Committee, backed by Governor Alex Otti and 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi; and now, Apapa’s faction claiming legitimacy.
Apapa’s sudden reappearance — after nearly a year of political silence — shocked many party loyalists. Insiders suggest his move could complicate the Labour Party’s preparations for upcoming elections, as legal interpretations of the Supreme Court’s verdict remain hotly contested among the party's power brokers.
Both Abure's and Usman's factions have yet to formally respond to Apapa’s claims, but sources within the party suggest a prolonged leadership struggle is almost inevitable.
With Nigeria’s political landscape already fraught with realignments and internal disputes across major parties, the Labour Party’s fragmentation may reshape voter confidence and alliances in the months ahead.
