Bashiru Lamidi Apapa has declared himself the new national chairman of the Labour Party, citing a recent Supreme Court judgment that sacked Julius Abure from the position.
Apapa made the announcement at a press conference on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, referencing the Supreme Court’s decision on April 4, 2025, which nullified Abure’s leadership.
“Following the dismissal of the cross appeal filed by the ousted former National Chairman Bar Julius Abure, also by the Supreme Court on April 4th, 2025, what this means is that all actions and decisions taken by Julius Abure since April 4th, 2023, are null and void,” Apapa stated.
He announced that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party as it stood in 2022 would convene next week, on Monday, April 14, 2025, to outline future plans.
“Following the decision of the Supreme Court on setting aside all judgements that recognise the leadership of Julius Abure as National Chairman, I, ALH BASHIRU LAMIDI APAPA, the most senior deputy national, and in consonance with our party constitution, Article 14 2(a)(b), hereby take over the running of the affairs of our great party with effect from today, Wednesday, the 9th day of April 2025, in an acting capacity, and Alh Farouk Umar Ibrahim as National Secretary,” Apapa declared.
Apapa indicated that his leadership would announce plans at the upcoming NWC meeting, including the zoning of the National Chairman position to the North and the National Secretary position to the South. He also pledged to “resuscitate the moribund Board of Trustees and make it functional.”
He further announced an upcoming NWC meeting for Monday, April 14, 2025, with the intention to initiate the conduct of Ward, Local Government, and State Congresses, culminating in a National Convention. Apapa assured that all financial members of the party would have the right to participate in these processes.
Apapa listed the following individuals as being put on notice for the NWC meeting: Deputy National Chairman NLC, Mr. Ladi Iliya; Deputy National Chairman TUC, Dr. Ayo Olorunfemi; National Secretary, Alh. Umar Farouq Ibrahim; National Legal Adviser, Bar. Oyelekan Akingbade; National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Abayomi Arabambi; National Treasurer, Mrs. Oluchi Opara; and National Youth Leader.
This development signals a potential new phase of internal conflict within the Labour Party following the Supreme Court’s decision regarding its leadership.
Leadership Tussle: Apapa Claims Labour Party Chairmanship After Supreme Court Ruling Takes over Secretariat.
