The Lamidi Apapa faction of the Labour Party (LP) has strongly criticized the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for appointing an interim chairman for the LP in Gombe State without their consent.
The faction deemed the appointment unacceptable and voiced their disapproval of the decision.
Similarly, the Julius Abure faction stated that they were unaware of the appointment, asserting that they already had a substantive state chairman in Gombe.
Tensions between the NLC and LP leadership have been escalating, with the NLC accusing LP National Chairman, Julius Abure, of unilateral decision-making within the party.
The NLC’s political commission, led by National Secretary Chris Uyot, endorsed Sani Abdulsalam as the interim LP chairman for Gombe State. Abdulsalam, allegedly dismissed by the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee, was appointed to oversee the party’s affairs until local government elections are conducted in the state.
In a letter addressed to relevant authorities, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Gombe State Police Command, the NLC political commission conveyed Abdulsalam’s appointment, emphasizing its temporary nature.
However, the spokesman for the Apapa faction, Abayomi Arabambi, denounced the NLC’s actions, asserting that they had no authority to impose leaders on the LP. Arabambi threatened to take constitutional action against the NLC for their interference.
Similarly, LP’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, contested the legitimacy of Abdulsalam’s appointment, stating that LP already had a recognized leadership structure in Gombe State. According to Ifoh, Abdulsalam was removed from his position as state chairman due to alleged anti-party activities.
Ifoh emphasized that LP’s conflict with the NLC had led to Abdulsalam’s recognition by the latter, but it did not equate to a legitimate appointment.
While LP expressed its commitment to resolving the crisis with the NLC, it maintained that the NLC’s interference was unwarranted and detrimental to the party’s stability.
