The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) disavowed Lamidi Apapa, the Labour Party’s factional Chairman, on Wednesday, branding him a meddling interloper working on behalf of political actors seeking to undermine the party’s existence.
The NLC stated that any attempt to allow Apapa to impose himself as Labour Party Chairman would be met with strong opposition.
The statement, titled “Labour disowns Mr Lamidi Apapa,” was issued by Comrade Chris Uyot, Secretary of the National League of Colours Political Commission.
The NLC condemned Apapa’s shameful performance at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja, emphasizing the desperate actions of certain elements within the political class who use deception and criminality to divide and tarnish the Labour Party’s substantial reputation throughout Nigeria.
The Nigeria Labour Congress expressed disappointment and called attention to Apapa’s illegal behaviour, describing him as an impostor who falsely claims the position of Chairman of the Labour Party and purports to represent the Nigeria Labour Congress.
The NLC questioned the protection he receives from state institutions tasked with maintaining law and order.
The NLC emphasized that the Labour Party, which was founded over three decades ago by the Nigeria Labour Congress, provides institutional membership to the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC). Nominations from the leadership of the national labour centres affiliate unions, or state councils of the NLC and TUC, determine the representation of Organized Labour in the Labour Party’s leadership.
According to the statement, the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the NLC’s Oyo State Council have completely disowned Apapa, disowning him and denying him the authority to act on their behalf of the Labour Party.
This calls into question who Apapa truly represents within the party.
The NLC blamed the continuation of Apapa’s deceptive actions on Nigerian political actors who want the Labour Party to fail.
They portrayed him as a meddling interloper used by reactionary forces to keep Nigerians from reaping the benefits of alternative political ideologies and genuine national transformation.
The NLC Political Commission reiterated its previous statement condemning the factional leadership led by Apapa and vowed to resist any attempt by him to repeat the shameful behaviour witnessed at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.
The NLC urged Nigerian workers and the general public to trust the judiciary as the guardian of justice and the last resort for the oppressed.
They also urged all progressive Nigerians to remain vigilant as the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal deliberates on the Labour Party case.