CITIZENS COMPASS – THERE was a serious argument at the Presidential Election Tribunal, in Abuja, on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, as Alhaji Lamidi Apapa, the factional chairman of the Labour Party arrived to claim position at the hearing of the petition filed by the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
The factional chairman was immediately questioned by some Obidients who queried his presence.
The mainstream of the party led by Barrister Julius Abure had in recent claims alleged that Apapa has been withdrawing petitions filed by the party against alleged malfeasances committed against the party’s candidates in the tribunals.
Though Abure was not in court, other Obidients and mainstream party activists kicked against Papa’s presence leading to a shouting match.
“Who are you?” a party official asked Apapa, who fired back saying, “Who are you too?”
Meanwhile, the Tribunal has adjourned till Friday, May 19, for a continuation of pre-hearing in the petition by Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, against the President-elect, Bola Tinubu.
The court, headed by Justice Haruna Tsammani, fixed the date after the failure of parties in the petition to agree on documents, among other reasons.
Recall that the Tribunal had last week adjourned the pre-hearing session on Obi and the LP’s petition till May 17 at the instance of the petitioners.
But on Wednesday, the justices arrived to commence the day’s proceedings and also refused to acknowledge the party’s representation aside from Obi as LP National Chairman, Julius Abure, was in court, and the party’s factional chairman, Lamidi Apapa, was also present.
A mild drama ensued between both camps of the LP on which group should be in court.
However, the Tribunal refused to take an appearance for the LP as the acting National Chairman of the party, Lamidi Apapa, and the National Women’s Leader of the party, Dudu Manugu, tried to make an appearance for LP when the petition was called.
Justice Haruna Tsamani noted that if two persons are making an appearance for LP, they will not be put on record.
