LP asks tribunal to disregard factional Chairman’s letter seeking to withdraw Obi’s case against Tinubu

 

April 25, (THEWILL) – The Labour Party (LP) has asked the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal sitting at the Appeal Court in Abuja, to disregard an alleged letter by its factional Chairman, Lamidi Apapa, seeking to withdraw the petition of Peter Obi, Presidential candidate of the Party, against the declaration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as President-elect.

Acting National Publicity Secretary of the party, Obiorah Ifoh, made the call in a statement on Tuesday.

Ifoh said the move was the latest attempt by the breakaway faction to destroy the party.

He listed Samuel Akingbade, Gbenga Daramola, Anselem Eragbe and Abayomi Arabambi erstwhile National Legal Adviser, National Financial Secretary, National Youth Leader and National Publicity Secretary, respectively amongst others for colluding with the factional chairman to derail the party.

The LP’s acting spokesperson called on the Department of State Services (DSS), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Police to arrest “these enemies of democracy”

The statement read: “Daily, the evil intention of the breakaway faction of the Labour Party, led by the suspended Deputy National Chairman, Lamidi Apapa, continues to manifest and just this morning, our legal team was confronted by the stark revelation that these men have advanced their plot by approaching all the tribunals where our numerous candidates lodged their election petitions arising from the recently held general election.

“Alongside Lamidi Apapa on the plot to frustrate Labour Party’s destined victory in the tribunals and also to derail the fledgling democracy are some of the suspended members including the Samuel Akingbade, Gbenga Daramola, Anselem Eragbe and Abayomi Arabambi erstwhile National Legal Adviser, National Financial Secretary, National Youth Leader and National Publicity Secretary respectively amongst others.

“Recall that the leadership of the Labour Party has been swimming through the murky waters of conspiracy, treachery and sabotage orchestrated by these former officers of the party.

“We had long suspected that moles were planted to sabotage the efforts of the party to offer Nigerians an alternative to the wicked and clueless governance in place today, but the desperation to satisfy their paymaster is beginning to threaten our common peace and of course, our democracy.

“Approaching the tribunals to withdraw all the cases lodged by Labour Party candidates across board is the height of subterfuge and treachery, and Nigerians will resist this ploy to plunge the nation into unnecessary turmoil.

“Their actions show that they are working against the party and that they are working to destroy the party.

“If they claim that they have a problem with the national leadership of the party, will they also claim that they have a problem with the candidates of the party? What offence have the candidates of the party committed that they are now moving around to withdraw their matters from the tribunal?

“The leadership of the Labour Party is, therefore, calling on the tribunals to disregard any letter emanating from our suspended National Legal Adviser, Samuel Akingbade, to the effect that all our cases are to be withdrawn.

“We are also calling on the presidential election tribunal to disregard such letters from these ex-officials of our party asking for the withdrawal of HE Peter Obi’s petition.

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“We also call on the Police, DSS and EFCC to quickly apprehend and question these agents of destruction before they succeed in igniting the nation.”

The party leadership equally noted that the appointment of Pastor Ifoh as Acting National Publicity Secretary followed due process as enshrined in the party’s constitution.

“All stakeholders including the State Chairmen and their secretaries, Zonal officers, owners and trustees of the party including NLC and TUC, some elected members of the party, as well as the leader and presidential candidate of the party amongst others, met in Asaba on April 18, where I was elected as the National Publicity Secretary due to the vacancy that occurred after the expulsion of the former National Publicity Secretary in line with the powers conferred on it.

“Article 14(2) b Section XIV of the Labour Party Constitution on the Powers and Function of the NEC states: “To fill vacancies in the NWC as they may occur from time to time in between National Convention; Also Section XV states; To take disciplinary action against any member or organ of the party as it may seem fit in the interest of the party.

“All relevant government agencies including NEC were present where I was unanimously elected. It is even ludicrous that an imposter, who committed a crime and forged signatures upon which he has been suspended over six months ago, and for him to turn around to calling people imposters, I wonder who is the imposter here.

“Let me refresh your memory. At a press conference held at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja six months ago, the then National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, explained to newsmen that Eragbe’s suspension was informed by allegations of “forgery, issuance of certificates to groups unknown to the leadership of the party without the approval of the National Working Committee or the National Chairman, the launch of a fund mobilisation website to receive funds without the approval of the National Working Committee or the National Chairman” and sending official letters “to some individuals without the approval of the National Working Committee or the National Chairman”.

“Abayomi described the actions of the National Youth Leader as “gross misconduct, disobedience to the constitution of the Labour Party and other acts”.

“While accusing him of anti-party activities, he said the suspension will last for six months and that will depend on how Eragbe conducts himself while the suspension lasts. He said: “In essence, he seems more to be working against the aspiration of our presidential candidate. Ever since he became our senatorial candidate in Edo State, he has been hobnobbing with our major foe and that alone, is an act that cannot be condoned by the leadership of this party.

“Is this the character one will be taking seriously? I am the current National Publicity Secretary and the resolution of the NEC has already been filed with relevant authorities. We urge the media to ignore the ranting of this exposed and disgraced former Youth Leader.”