On Tuesday, the Labour Party suspended a factional leader named Lamidi Apapa, its national vice chairman (South), and other officials, deepening the already-existing leadership crisis.

According to a statement authored by Ladi Iliya, national deputy chairman, and Kenedy Ahanotu, deputy national secretary, the party appointed acting executive members.

They said that the National Working Committee members attended a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Asaba where the decision was made.

State party chairmen and secretaries as well as Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate, were present during the Asaba meeting.

It added, “NEC also suspended the following National Working Committee (NWC) members: Lamidi Apapa, Alhaji Salem Lawal, Favour Reuben, Gbenga Daramola, Samuel Akingbade, and Mohammed Akali.”

The National Executive Council established a disciplinary committee with Kennedy Ahanotu, the acting national publicity secretary, Obiora Ifoh, and Edun Kehinde, the acting national legal adviser, as its members. Other members were mentioned as Anthony Ezeagwu, national vice-chairman (South-South), and acting deputy national secretary Rotimi Kehinde.

Also, the NEC examined the general elections of 2023 and pointed out that INEC left the possibility for “huge manipulation” by not transmitting election results immediately from polling places.

The party denounced electoral violence and the use of security forces as a tool for voter intimidation and other criminal activity in several regions of the nation.

According to the statement obtained by the People’s Gazette, “NEC noted the resilience and doggedness of our presidential candidate and its resolve to legitimately reclaim its mandate in court. It accordingly calls on the judiciary to do the right thing irrespective of whose ox is gored,” said the statement.

It stressed its implicit confidence in the Julius Abure-led NWC.