Members of Nigeria’s Labour Party (LP) maintain that the party remains the strongest alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), despite ongoing leadership tussles that have unsettled the party’s foundation.
Amid internal wrangling, legal disputes, and factional battles over the party’s national leadership, prominent figures within the LP are calling for unity, urging party heavyweights to set aside their differences ahead of the crucial 2027 general elections.
In this special report, Channels Television’s Dele Omoyeni examines the root causes of the Labour Party’s leadership crisis and the ongoing efforts to reconcile warring factions.
Labour Party: A Brief Rise to National Prominence
Formed in 2002, the Labour Party remained a marginal political player until 2007 when Dr. Olusegun Mimiko clinched the Ondo State governorship through a landmark court victory. However, the party continued to hover on the fringes of Nigeria’s political landscape, despite its people-oriented ideology symbolized by its logo, a man, woman, and child.
The tide shifted dramatically in 2022 when former Anambra State governor, Mr. Peter Obi, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to contest the 2023 presidential election under the LP platform. Obi’s entry galvanized a youthful, urban-driven movement that catapulted the Labour Party into mainstream political relevance.
Although Mr. Obi finished third in the presidential race, the Labour Party secured significant victories, producing a state governor and electing several federal and state lawmakers, solidifying its position as a formidable opposition force.
Leadership Crisis Erupts: Abure vs. Apampa Faction
Post-election, the Labour Party descended into chaos following the suspension of its National Chairman, Mr. Julius Abure, by his ward executives. This development opened the door for Lamidi Apampa, who declared himself the acting National Chairman, sparking a factional leadership battle.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), which claims custodianship of the party, also rejected Mr. Abure’s leadership, further complicating the crisis.
In a surprising twist, a faction within the party appointed former Minister of Finance, Mrs. Nenadi Usman, as caretaker National Chairman. However, this move failed to settle the dispute, as both Abure and Apampa continue to lay claim to the party’s leadership.
Legal Battles and Supreme Court Verdict
The leadership crisis has played out extensively in Nigerian courts. However, a recent Supreme Court ruling clarified that internal party leadership issues fall outside judicial jurisdiction, emphasizing that such matters should be resolved internally.
Despite this pronouncement, both Abure and Usman-led factions remain at loggerheads, though reconciliation committees have been established to broker peace.
Party Members Defect as 2027 Approaches
With 2027 in sight, the Labour Party faces mounting pressure to resolve its internal wrangling. Some disillusioned members have already started aligning with rival parties, particularly the APC, raising concerns about the party’s stability.
Leaders like Peter Obi and Datti Baba-Ahmed continue to advocate for unity, expressing optimism that the party’s internal disputes will be resolved before the next general elections.
For now, the Labour Party stands at a crossroads, poised between consolidating its newfound influence or watching its gains unravel due to internal divisions.
