The Lamidi Apapa faction of the Labour Party (LP) has criticized the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) for rejecting the new pump price of petrol.
They insisted that the position of the LP on the removal of fuel subsidy during the campaign has not changed, saying “we cannot reverse that position because it was not our candidate that won the presidential election.”
The factional National Publicity Secretary of the LP, Abayomi Arabambi, raised these issues during a press conference in Abuja.
Arabambi said, “Whatever we have agreed on during our campaign, and as a party that promote peace, equity and justice in Nigeria, then we can’t be found approbating and reprobating at the same time. Our position is that, once Obi has said he would remove fuel subsidy from his first day in office, the same organized labour who stood on that position must not be seen working in cross purpose on the same thing that Tinubu, Atiku and even Obi said they were going to do.
“Obi said subsidy was an organized crime that must be stopped. The NLC can’t call for any strike. If they do, it is obvious that they are just being mischievous for a reason best known to them or maybe they have something against the President that they should come out open to tell Nigerians. That is our position as Labour Party.”
Apple’s Bite recalls that sometime last month Apapa was disgraced by factional party supporters who alleged his loyalty to the party has been compromised.
The drama began when he wanted to sit on the seat saved for the party chairman, a move objected by members loyal to ousted chairman Julius Abure, leading to a mild commotion in the courtroom before the arrival of the five-member justices.
The Court, however, refused to acknowledge Apapa’s presence or even that of Dudu Manuga, national women leader, who stood in for the Abure faction, over the party’s internal power tussle.
The Court said their presence will not be put on record because both conflicting factions cannot appear for the party.
After the court adjourned the matter to Friday, May 19, Apapa wanted to address the press but Labour Party supporters loyal to Abure swiftly besieged him and stopped him from doing so.
Amidst jeers, pushes and shoves, they argued that Apapa was not a representative of their party and hence would not be allowed to speak on its affairs to journalists.
The bronze-coloured traditional cap Apapa adorned, was aggressively removed by the irate mob who chanted “Ole” – Yoruba word for thief. The incident nearly degenerated into fisticuffs before police officers not swooped in to shield Apapa from the angry mob.
Flanked on both sides by officers, the embattled Labour Party leader was taken back inside the court building and the entrance was quickly shut off to outsiders including the press.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.
