This was stated in a press statement signed by Obiora Ifoh, the faction’s Acting National Publicity Secretary on Wednesday.
A faction of the Labour Party has accused the leadership of the party under its Acting Chairman, Lamidi Apapa of sneaking to court to sack all lawmakers who were elected under the party’s platform during the 2023 general election.
This was stated in a press statement signed by Obiora Ifoh, the faction’s Acting National Publicity Secretary on Wednesday.
Ifoh claimed that this move is connected with the plot of the opposition parties to hijack the party and reduce it to rubble.
The statement said, “The Labour Party has been informed of an illegal attempt by a breakaway group in the party led by Lamidi Apapa to misguide a Kano state High court to invalidate all the elections won by the Labour Party in the just concluded general election.
“Suspended National Legal Adviser and a key member of the disgraced Apapa group, Samuel Akingbade Oyelekan, on Wednesday while the Presidential Appeal Tribunal was sitting in Abuja with all attentions focused on it, clandestinely sneaked out of Abuja to Kano state where he in collaboration with some members of the other political parties asked the court to invalidate all the elections won by the Labour Party, particularly, the national assembly in the 36 states and FCT on the ground that we didn’t submit register of voters to INEC.
“Akingbade who presented himself as representing the Labour Party, did not oppose the motion, thus forcing the helpless judge to reserve judgement for tomorrow.
“Though, the party will appear before the court on Thursday to set aside the proceedings, we have earlier raised the alarm of the plots by the opposition parties to ensure that Labour Party is reduced to the rubbles. Few weeks ago, we alerted Nigerians of plots to hijack the party and by extension, target all our cases in the tribunal. We have since produced evidences of the letters initiated by Akingbade to various tribunals asking for withdrawal of cases before them.”
The statement informed relevant stakeholders that Apapa and members of his camp are no longer representing the interest of the party.
The statement continued: “We are using this medium to alert the judiciary and all law enforcement agencies, particularly, the police, DSS to note that Samuel Akingbade, Lamidi Apapa, Abayomi Arabambi and everyone in that camp have ceased to be representing Labour Party in whatever capacity. This statement serves as a disclaimer on them and for the information of Nigerians.
“These agents have taken their hatchet job to a new level and will stop at nothing in doing their paymasters bid to truncate our case in various tribunal. Nigerians must be on alert and join forces in ensuring that all the anti-Democratic forces in our midst are subdued.”
Last Friday, SaharaReporters reported that Apapa gave lawyers who were representing the party and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, at the Presidential Election Tribunal 48 hours to report to him.
Apapa stated this while briefing journalists after he was reinstated as the party’s acting chairman in Abuja.
He stated that he was now the only recognised leader of the party by the court, and warned that anyone else who regarded himself as the party's chairman was violating the court ruling.