Anambra LP lawmakers-elect warn Apapa, Okoye over lingering party crisis

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka

Forum of Labour Party (LP) House of Assembly Candidates in Anambra State has warned Lamidi Apapa and Peter Okoye to desist from actions causing disunity in the party.

The incoming lawmakers gave the warning on Sunday after deliberating on the issues concerning members of the forum, especially on the petitions against LP members elect, as well as recent issues involving the Labour Party at the National and State levels.

Recall that early last month, a  group within the party made up of seven members of the National Working Committee (NWC) had installed the National Vice-Chairman (South), Apapa, as acting chairman, replacing Julius Abure. 

The group had claimed they were acting on the judgement of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court which they said restrained Abure from parading himself as National Chairman of the party. 

In the same vein, Peter Okoye, during a press briefing, had told journalists that he is the new leader of LP state executive in Anambra and that Hon Ugochukwu Emeh’s had ceased to be the state chairman of the party.

Following their meeting, a statement endorsed by the 23 LP members-elect of the State Assembly, advised the factional leaders to desist from impersonating the party at national and state level or risk facing the weight of the law.

The candidates resolved that the only leadership of the Party remains the Barr. Julius Abure-led NWC as affirmed by the Court and called on Apapa, Okoye and others to withdraw forthwith from causing more distractions in the party’s efforts to recover its stolen mandates. 

It reads “the only Leadership of our great Party remains the Barr. Julius Abure led NWC as affirmed by the Court, which has vacated the Restraining Order issued against him. 

“We therefore call on the renegades and wannabes led by Mr. Lamidi Apapa to understand that the game is up and desist forthwith from causing more distractions for the Party in this critical time of tremendous efforts to recover our stolen mandates. 

“We warn all the mischievous elements in the Anambra State chapter of the Labour Party, especially one Mr. Peter Okoye and Chibueze Adirika, who recently illegally and fraudulently convened and attended a purported State Executive Council meeting of the Party, to desist from such misleading and fraudulent venture as we will spare nothing in exposing them and their criminal transactions with their known sponsors and paymasters. 

“While we shall not hesitate to unleash the full weight of the law on perpetrators and their enablers should they refuse to stop, we hereby warn them of the severe consequences of impersonation. The Labour Party in Anambra State remains one united Family under the leadership of Chief Ugochukwu Emeh.”

The candidates commended and passed pass vote of confidence on the leadership of Julius Abure National Working Committee and Ugochukwu Emeh State Working Committee, for the transparent and smooth piloting of the party activities prior, during and after the 2023 General Elections. 

Expressing optimism that its presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, as well as other candidates of the party will reclaim their mandate through tribunal, they reassured the party leadership of unflinching support going forward both at the state and national levels.