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Appeal Court judgement on Imo LP Guber candidacy: Apapa led faction claims victory

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The Appeal Court judgement last Thursday on the Labour Party (LP) Imo State gubernatorial candidacy tussle has again ignited the factional leadership crises in the Party as the Lamidi Apapa led faction has claimed the judgement is in its favor.

A statement by the former Publicity Secretary of the Party, Dr. Abayomi Arabambi said the Appeal Court dismissed Julius Abure and Sen Achonu’s Appeal against Chief Ukaegbu Ikenga (LP Imo State guber Candidate) From Alhaji Lamidi Bashiru Apapa Led National Working Committee, NWC.
He said the court of Appeal, sitting in Owerri division, Thursday 20th July, 2023 rejected the candidate of the Abure-led faction in Imo state for the 11th November, 2023 Governorship Election and upheld that of the Apapa led faction.

According to the statement that it all started when Apapa, the then Deputy National Chairman of Labour Party LP assumed the position of Acting National Chairman of the party on 6th April, 2023 as a result of the FCT High Court Restraining Order of 5th April, 2023 that removed Julius Abure, the then National Chairman from office and three (3) others from Parading themselves as National Officers of the Labour Party LP.
“The situation was that of a double Jeopardy for Abure and his co-travellers which resulted from Abure’s suspension as a member of the party from his Ward in Esan, Edo State and the subsequent restraining Order by the FCT High Court on the other hand that stopped him from Parading himself as National Officer and Chairman of the party and the other three were also suspended as NWC members.

He also claimed that the Nigeria Police Investigation and Forensic Audit Report indicted Julius Abure, Umar Farouk Ibrahim, Ojukwu Clement and Mrs Oluchi Okpara for: Forgery, Perjury and criminal conspiracy over unlawful substitution of party candidates in the INEC portal.
“The resultant effects of the double Jeopardy actions on Abure and others culminated in an emergency National Working Committee NWC meeting where Apapa was nominated and ratified to resume office in the capacity of the Acting National Chairman on 6th April, 2023
“The above NWC action conferred Apapa with the valid mandate for the conduct of all the primary elections for the party in Imo, Bayelsa and Kogi States for the 11th November, 2023 Gubernatorial Election on 16th April, 2023.
“Surprisingly, Julius Abure whom the court restrained, and in disobedience to the Court Order, went ahead and conduct parallel primaries in those three states on 15th April, 2023, while the Apapa led Labour Party LP National Working Committee conducted their valid primaries on 16th April, 2023.
“To our greatest dismay, the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC colluded with Abure and accepted Abure’s candidates earlier with the baseless excuse that Abure had the INEC portal codes with which Abure and Farouk illegally uploaded their illegal and unlawful candidates.
“Dissatisfied with Abure’s submission of Sen. Athan Achonu’s name, one of the aspirants, Sir Basil Maduka who featured in Abure’s illegal primary on 15th April, 2023 approached the Federal High Court sitting in Owerri in a suit challenging the primaries and joined Chief Ukaegbu Ikechukwu Joseph Ikenga who did not participate in their illegal Primary along with INEC and Labour Party LP as first, second and third defendants.

10: The court, on the 23rd of June, 2023, in a considered judgment, upheld the candidates that emerged from the Lamidi Apapa-led NWC primary in Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa States respectively.
“Dissatisfied with the judgment, Abure and his co-travelers approached the court of Appeal, an In a unanimous decision today, Thursday 20th July, 2023, the court dismissed the Appeal and upheld the judgment of the Federal High Court of 23rd June, 2023.
“Delivering judgement after hearing the submissions of counsels to both parties on Thursday, 20th July, 2023, the three (3) man panel of Judges in a unanimous decision, nullified the Appeal for lacking competence.
“The implication of the judgment today is that, it is only the candidates that emerged from Apapa led NWC that are validly nominated for the Labour Party LP in the 11th November, 2023 governorship Election in IMO, BAYELSA AND KOGI states election 2023.
“This is victory for the Alhaji Lamidi Bashiru Apapa led Labour Party LP National Working Committee (NWC) and Democracy.”

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Obidient Movement Gears Up for 2027, Strengthens Unity

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Obidient Movement Logo

Following a successful Advisory and Directorate Committees meeting held recently, the Obidient Movement has reaffirmed its commitment to a united, strategic, and value-driven political future.

The meeting, described as a milestone gathering, brought together key stakeholders and leaders within the movement to solidify strategies for the 2027 general elections.
Central to the discussions was the vision of ensuring competent, value-based leadership, with a strong emphasis on supporting Peter Obi and like-minded leaders who embody the movement’s ideals of integrity, good governance, and accountability.
Participants at the meeting underscored the importance of organisation, coordination, and active participation in driving the movement’s objectives.
The event provided a platform for meaningful dialogue, reinforcing the need for structure, outreach, and grassroots mobilisation to sustain the momentum ahead of the next election cycle.

Following the deliberations, members left with a renewed sense of purpose, fully aware of the responsibilities ahead.
National Coordinator of the Movement, Dr. Yunusa Tanko
expressed confidence in the movement’s direction, thanking those who have taken up leadership roles in various directorates and advisory councils.

“We deeply appreciate all those who have accepted appointments to serve in different capacities. Their contributions will be critical in shaping the movement’s future. We also salute the millions of Obidients across Nigeria and beyond who tirelessly advocate and mobilise for a better country. Your dedication is the heartbeat of this movement,” Dr. Tanko stated.
Continuing, he said eith renewed energy and focus, the Obidient Movement is set to expand its structures nationwide, ensuring greater coordination and effectiveness.
According to him, the movement will also empower supporters with the tools needed to actively participate in governance and political processes as well as sustained mobilization at all levels, to reinforce the push for transformative leadership in Nigeria.

Dr. Tanko urged all supporters to stay engaged, participate actively, and remain steadfast in their commitment to the movement’s cause.
He emphasized that a new Nigeria is within reach, but only through collective action and perseverance.
Finally, Tanko encouraged all Obidients to stay informed, join local chapters, and contribute to the shared vision of a better Nigeria.
For further updates and participation, he urged supporters to reach out via Obidient.unification@gmail.com.

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2027 Elections: SDP’s Agunloye Calls for Ideology-Driven Alliances, Not Just Power Grabs

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Olu Agunloye

National Secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Dr. Olu Agunloye, has warned that alliances must go beyond mere power-seeking and instead be rooted in principles, ideology, and national development.
This is coming as Nigeria gears up for the 2027 general elections with political coalitions and realignments taking center stage once again.
In a thought-provoking paper titled “The Tikanga for Alliances and Coalitions for Good Governance and Life More Abundant,” released in Abuja on Monday, Agunloye examined Nigeria’s history of political coalitions—highlighting their successes, failures, and the urgent need for a new approach.
Dr. Agunloye traced the failures of past alliances, including, the United Progressive Grand Alliance (UPGA) of 1964, formed out of political expediency, lacking a unifying ideology.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013 successfully unseated the ruling party in 2015 but failed to deliver long-term national development, leaving Nigeria struggling with insecurity, poor infrastructure, and economic challenges.

The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP 2018) despite signing a memorandum to support a joint candidate, it lacked a clear roadmap before the 2019 elections.

The National Consultative Front (NCF 2021) aimed to form a mega-party for the 2023 elections failed to implement its strategy within INEC’s timeframe.
Looking ahead to 2027, Agunloye urged political stakeholders to move beyond short-term electoral victories and instead adopt a structured, principle-based approach to coalition-building.
He emphasized that alliances should prioritize national security, social justice, and economic prosperity over personal ambition.
“Political partnerships must be built well in advance of elections, with clear strategies for leadership, policies, and campaign execution.
“Coalitions should not be a dumping ground for defecting politicians but a platform for individuals and groups genuinely committed to Nigeria’s progress.
“A blueprint for governance must be established before seeking electoral victory to prevent post-election chaos.”

Dr. Agunloye suggested that the SDP, under its current leadership, has the necessary structure to support a well-planned alliance.
However, he stressed that other political platforms could also contribute to building a coalition focused on national transformation.

“Nigeria does not need to reinvent the wheel,” he stated, urging stakeholders to learn from past coalition mistakes and work towards a grand alliance that prioritizes governance over politics.

As the 2027 elections approach, the critical question remains, will political leaders embrace a new, ideology-driven alliance or repeat the cycle of failed coalitions?

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Ex-LP Treasurer Rejects Abure’s Igbo Presidency Push, Advocates Merit-Based Leadership

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Oluchi Oparah

A former National Treasurer of the Labour Party (LP), Oluchi Oparah, has distanced herself from the position of the party’s National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, on the path to an Igbo presidency, insisting that Ndigbo must secure the presidency through merit, not ethnic sentiment.
Oparah’s reaction follows Abure’s recent statement at a South-East Labour Party rally in Abuja, where he reiterated the party’s commitment to supporting the Igbo for the presidency in 2027. According to Abure, the LP had zoned its 2023 presidential ticket to the South-East to “wipe the tears” of the region, urging Igbo leaders to realign and consolidate their political strength ahead of the next election.
However, Oparah, in a statement issued on Sunday, strongly disagreed with Abure’s approach, warning that framing the presidency as an ethnic entitlement rather than a merit-based contest could hurt Ndigbo’s chances.
“The notion that Ndigbo can only achieve the presidency by exploiting tribal and regional sentiments is not only misguided but also detrimental to our collective progress as a nation,” she said.
She pointed to the performance of Peter Obi in the 2023 general elections as evidence that an Igbo candidate can gain nationwide support based on competence, integrity, and vision, rather than ethnic affiliation.
“Obi’s success was not built on ethnic sentiment but on his impressive credentials and performance record, which still speak for him today. If not for certain electoral irregularities, he could have secured the seat for the betterment of all Nigerians,” Oparah argued.

She further criticized Abure’s rhetoric, stating that it undermines the principle of national unity and meritocracy.
“Rather than promoting an ethnic-based campaign strategy, Ndigbo must focus on building a coalition of support across different ethnic and political groups. The presidency of Nigeria should be won based on competence, vision, and leadership, not sentiment,” she said.
Oparah urged political leaders to prioritize a unifying national agenda over ethnic considerations, warning that emphasizing tribal politics could alienate potential allies and weaken support for an Igbo candidate.
As the race for 2027 begins to take shape, her remarks signal a growing debate within the Labour Party and the wider political landscape over the best approach for the South-East to attain national leadership.

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