Lamidi Apapa, the factional leader of the Labour Party has said that considering rank and age, he should become the next National Chairman of the Labour Party.
Speaking on News Night Programme on Arise Television on Thursday, April 10, Apapa said in the situation where the National Chairman is unable to perform his duties, he (Apapa) ought to be the next in line.
Citing Article 14 of the Labour Party’s constitution, Apapa said out of all the leaders withing the party, he is the only one with the authority to serve as the National Chairman of LP.
“If the National Chairman of the party for any reason is unable to person his duties, the deputy chairman of the party takes over. It’s automatic, I don’t have to derive authority from anybody because the constitution has allowed me to do that.
“That is the function of the deputy national chairman, unfortunately, among all the deputy national chairmen, I happen to be the oldest among them; on the hierarchy, I am the next person to Abure,” the LP leaders stated.
He added that “On the list of officers, I am the next person to Abure which means I am the closest person to him in rank and everything.
“When I took over, what I told those who called themselves stakeholders today is that nobody can be a judge in his own case. Allow Abure to step aside, let us investigate Abure; that time, the NEC, the Obi who is our principal and the so-called stakeholders were backing him and I was being blackmailed of being sponsored,” Apapa said.
He also alleged that key leaders of the party had earlier left substance to pursue shadows by first accusing him of being sponsored by the ruling party.
The LP’s factional leader said he now feels vindicated with the current happenings within the Labour Party.