Lamidi Apapa, the factional chairman of the Labour Party (LP), has disclosed his course of action if President-elect Asiwaju Bola Tinubu extends an invitation for reconciliation talks. In a recent interview, Apapa emphasized that any decision made would be in alignment with the party’s collective stance rather than his personal opinion.
“If they say go and see him or we are going to see him, it becomes the position of the party, not the position of Alhaji Bashiru Lamidi Apapa,” Apapa asserted. “All of us will collectively go and see him, provided we have the mandate from the party to do so”.
It is worth noting that Apapa’s faction has been embroiled in a longstanding dispute with the faction led by the suspended National Chairman of the party, Julius Abure, over leadership control. This ongoing power struggle recently escalated when the two factions clashed at the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which was the venue for the Presidential Election Petition Court.
During these tumultuous events, Apapa found himself surrounded by a group of enthusiastic youths who had gathered to observe the proceedings of the petition filed by Obi, which contested the outcome of the 2023 presidential election. Consequently, security operatives attached to the court swiftly intervened to ensure Apapa’s safety, taking him into protective custody.
In light of these developments, Apapa expressed his dissatisfaction with Obi’s perceived alignment with Abure, the LP chairman who was ousted by the court. Apapa went as far as issuing a warning that he would expose Obi’s actions, hinting at potential undisclosed information that could tarnish Obi’s reputation.
Moving forward, Apapa remains resolute in upholding the principles of the Labour Party and is open to engaging in dialogue with Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, should the party deem it necessary. As an integral member of the LP, Apapa understands the significance of collective decision-making and ensures that any discussions with Tinubu would be reflective of the party’s united front.