Lamidi Apapa Takes Over Labour Party Leadership After Supreme Court Sacks Abure

Abuja, Nigeria – Bashiru Lamidi Apapa has officially declared himself the new acting National Chairman of the Labour Party following the recent Supreme Court ruling that sacked Julius Abure from the party’s top leadership position.

At a press conference held in Abuja on Wednesday, Apapa stated that the decision to assume leadership of the party was in direct response to the Supreme Court judgment delivered on April 4, 2025, which nullified all actions and decisions made by Abure since April 2023.

“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 said.

Quoting the Labour Party’s constitution, Apapa said he is now the most senior deputy national official and will serve as acting chairman effective immediately.

“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,” he declared.

Apapa also announced that the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), as constituted in 2022, will reconvene on Monday, April 14, 2025, to begin strategic planning and a reorganization of the party’s leadership structure.

“My leadership hereby calls on all members of the Labour Party that the National Working Committee of our party as of 2022 will meet next week, Monday, 14th April 2025, to announce our plans, which will include zoning the position of National Chairman to the North and National Secretary to the South,” he said.

He further revealed that efforts would be made to revive the party’s long-inactive Board of Trustees (BOT).

“My leadership will also take proactive steps to resuscitate the moribund Board of Trustees and make it functional,” Apapa assured.

Among the key issues on the agenda for the upcoming NWC meeting, Apapa stated, is the immediate commencement of fresh internal elections.

“We will immediately set in motion the conduct of Ward Congresses, Local Government Congresses, State Congresses, and National Convention, where every member of our party shall have the right to participate, provided you are a financial member,” he announced.

He also listed key NWC members expected at the meeting, including 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.