The Lamidi Apapa faction of the Labour Party, has expressed dissatisfaction with the decision of an Edo state High Court, presided over by Justice Emmanuel Okey Aihamoje, which reportedly has restored Julius Abure as the substantive national chairman of the party.
At a press conference in Abuja, the National Publicity Secretary of the Apapa faction, Dr Abayomi Arabambi said that a matter pending before the Court of Appeal cannot be litigated by a lower court.
Arabambi said the implication of the suspension of Abure by NEC in Bauchi makes the Edo judgment a mere academic exercise as the NEC which is the highest organ of the party, had already suspended Abure and his cohorts.
The counsel to the Apapa Faction, Monday Mawah, while also reacting to the judgement said the judgment does not set aside pending issues facing Abure which are yet to be resolved.
The Lamidi Apapa faction of the Labour Party vehemently opposed the the reported reinstatement of Abure as a weak effort from the opposition to distort facts as seen and clearly evidenced.
This they said, is to mislead and misinform members of the public into the workings of the Party. The setting aside of Abure’s suspension as a member of its’ ward pursuant to Article 10(2) (1)of the Labour Party’s constitution is in total conflict with the ruling if the Edo court. Since the 3rd of May, 2023, the party met in Bauchi and the suspension of Abure and other emergency democrat members still is in effect. Also, by the powers of the NEC, under article (13) (2) (b) (IV) of the party’s constitution, Abure’s suspension is still upheld.
The Lamidi Apapa faction also issued a stern warning to Mr. Alex Ijetieme SAN, counsel to the Abure faction to desist from judicial rascality as they would petition his conduct with the Legal Practioner’s Disciplinary Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association to take punitive measures against him.
Arabambi appealed to Nigerians not to see Abure’s reinstatement as a celebratory cause but rather, an action that stalls the interest of democracy and the interest of the Labour Party.
