By Daniel Edu
Lamidi Apapa, the factional national chairman of the Labour Party (LP), has responded to allegations of supporting President Bola Tinubu and clarified the party’s internal crisis. In an interview with BBC Yoruba, he stressed that he has not received financial support from Tinubu, contrary to popular belief.
Apapa challenged those accusing him of affiliating with the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate to provide evidence for their claims. He also made it clear that he voted for Mr. Peter Gregory Obi in the February 25, 2023, presidential election and has no issues with Obi.
Addressing the accusations against him, Apapa expressed his frustration, saying, “What I am angry about is that some people accused me of working for President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. As of now, Tinubu has never provided me with financial support, although that may change in the future. The truth is, I do not support him. My vote in the election was solely for Mr. Peter Gregory Obi.”
He posed two essential questions for those believing he supports Tinubu: “First, will I assist him in garnering more votes after the election? Second, am I the presiding judge in Peter Obi’s lawsuit against him? These are critical questions to consider.”
Regarding Peter Obi’s decision to join the Labour Party, Apapa expressed his enthusiasm about the move, viewing it as an opportunity for the party to lead the country and gain more visibility. He also acknowledged the hopes of long-time party members for such a development.
In response to the party’s internal crisis, Apapa explained that a legal case in a federal high court in Abuja led to an injunction instructing Barrister Julius Abure and three other prominent party members not to act as leaders of the Labour Party. However, they did not comply with this directive, resulting in a dispute at the presidential election tribunal. Apapa emphasized that there is no evidence supporting the claim that he agreed to support Tinubu’s candidacy.
