The leadership crisis rocking the Labour Party (LP) deepened on Tuesday, April 18, as it suspended a factional leader of the party, Lamidi Apapa, its National Deputy Chairman (South), and some other officials.

The LP also appointed some party chieftains as acting executive members.

This was made known via a statement issued by the party’s National Deputy Chairperson, Ladi Iliya, and the Deputy National Secretary, Kenedy Ahanotu.

They stated that the decision was taken at a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the party held in Asaba, the Delta State capital, and attended by members of the National Working Committee (NWC).

Also in attendance at the meeting were states chairmen, secretaries of the party, and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

The meeting was also attended by the party’s National Assembly members-elect, INEC officials, those of the NLC, and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

The party noted that the NEC reaffirmed and upheld the decision of the Akure convention which expelled its former publicity secretary Arabambi Abayomi.

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“NEC considered the disciplinary committee’s report which recommended the suspension of the former Youth Leader, Mr Anslem Eragbe and recommended him for expulsion at the next national convention.

“Pending the next convention, NEC suspends Eragbe indefinitely.

“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 LP stated.

It added that the NEC constituted a disciplinary committee comprising the National Youth Leader, Prince Kennedy Ahanotu, Acting National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, and Acting National Legal Adviser, Edun Kehinde, as members.

It listed other members as the Acting Deputy National Secretary, Rotimi Kehinde, and the National Vice Chairman South-South Anthony Ezeagwu.

The Labour Party said the party’s NEC also critically evaluated the 2023 general election and noted INEC’s failure to transmit election results real-time from polling units, which it said gave room for massive manipulation of results.

The party, however, condemned electoral violence and the use of security agencies to intimidate voters and perpetuate other crimes in parts of the country during the elections.

“NEC noted the resilience, and doggedness of our presidential candidate and its resolve to legitimately reclaim its mandate in court.

“NEC accordingly calls on the judiciary to do the right thing irrespective of whose ox is gored,” it added.

The LP, therefore, stressed its implicit confidence in Julius Abure-led NWC.

The Star