Labour Party is currently embroiled in a deepening crisis, with the latest development being the suspension of the Acting National Chairman, Lamidi Apapa, and five other members by the National Executive Council (NEC) on Tuesday. This move comes amidst allegations of anti-party activities, although specific details were not provided.

In addition to Apapa, the other members affected by the suspension are Alhaji Saleh Lawal, Deputy National Secretary; Rawland Daramola, National Financial Secretary; Prince Reuben Favour, National Vice-Chairman, South-South; Samuel Akingbade, National Legal Adviser; and Mohammed Akali, National Vice-Chairman, North-East, as reported by The Nation.

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The party’s NEC also upheld the decision of the Akure convention, which previously expelled the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Comrade Arabambi Abayomi.

The recent turn of events stems from a Federal High Court ruling on April 6, 2023, which restrained Julius Abure from parading himself as the chairman of the party. In response, Apapa and five others took over the affairs of the party, with Apapa being announced as the acting chairman, replacing the suspended chairman, Abure, according to SaharaReporters.

However, Apapa has been facing criticism and allegations that he was planted in the party by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as a mole. In a recent appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Apapa refuted these accusations and stated that if the party’s supporters, known as ‘Obidients,’ understood the internal dynamics of the party, they would realize their ignorance.

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Apapa, who described himself as a founding member of the Labour Party, claimed that he enjoyed the support of the party’s supporters as the new leader and denied being sponsored by opponents to destroy the party. He maintained that he would not work to run down the party, as he considered himself aligned with its founding principles.