Apapa's Labour Party faction shames Obi, accepts tribunal judgement

A faction within the Labour Party, led by Lamidi Apapa, has formally accepted the verdict rendered by the Presidential Election Petition Court.

This development pertains to the case brought forth by the party's presidential candidate in the previous election, Peter Obi.

The tribunal, in a decision handed down on Wednesday, September 06, 2023, unanimously ruled that the petition presented by Peter Obi and his counterpart from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, alongside their respective parties, lacked merit. Consequently, the election victory of President Bola Tinubu was upheld.

Justice Haruna Tsammani, the Chairman of the tribunal, presided over the verdict, with support from other distinguished panel members, including Justices Monsurat Bolaji-Yusuf, Stephen Adah, Moses Ugo, and Abba Mohammed.

The LP faction, represented by their National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, has expressed its reaction to the recent legal actions taken by Peter Obi and his legal team regarding the February 25 election.

Furthermore, the APC faction has levied serious allegations against Obi, accusing him of purportedly diverting funds that were originally intended for his 2022 presidential campaign.

The statement issued by the faction underscores their disappointment with Obi's legal strategy, suggesting that he was inadequately advised before pursuing his case before the tribunal.

The statement reads: "It is indeed regrettable that Peter Obi's legal team failed to provide him with sound guidance prior to embarking on this tribunal journey. His pursuit appears to be a futile endeavor, given his inability to secure the necessary funding for the party, which hindered the deployment of the required polling agents. Additionally, the late submission of witnesses' statements, beyond the stipulated timeframe, highlights the inadequacies of Obi's legal team."

The LP faction further insinuated that Obi's decision to approach the tribunal may be an attempt to legitimise the funds he amassed during his campaign, suggesting possible improprieties in the handling of campaign finances.

It is worth noting that Apapa, the Chairman of the LP faction, personally attended the tribunal proceedings on at least two occasions, underlining the party's keen interest in the legal proceedings.