The Lamidi Apapa faction of the Labour Party has voiced its discontent with the recent appointment of an interim chairman by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Gombe State.
The faction, led by spokesperson Abayomi Arabambi, has labeled the move as unacceptable, stating that the NLC lacks the authority to impose leadership within the party.
The Julius Abure faction also expressed its surprise at the appointment, asserting that they already have a substantive state chairman in Gombe.
According to them, the appointment came without their knowledge and contradicts the existing leadership structure of the party in the state.
A letter outlining the appointment of Alhaji Sani Abdulsalam as interim chairman was circulated to various authorities including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Department of State Services (DSS), Gombe State Police Command, and the Secretary to the Gombe State Government.
However, the legitimacy of this appointment is being questioned by the existing leadership of the Labour Party in Gombe.
The letter partly read, “To whom it may concern. We bring you fraternal greetings from the NLC political commission. We write to communicate the appointment of Alhaji Sani Abdulsalam as interim Chairman of LP in Gombe.
“His appointment is for the period up till the conduct of local government elections in Gombe State. Thereafter, a more substantive state transition committee of the Labour Party in Gombe State will be constituted.
“While we look forward to your cooperation, please accept the renewed assurance of our highest esteem.”
But the spokesman for the Apapa faction, Abayomi Arabambi, disowned the arrangement.
Arabambi said the NLC had no power to impose anybody on the party.
“The NLC political commission is not a party. We intend to take very drastic constitutional action against them,” Arabambi told Punch.
“Already, we have warned them not to disobey the constitution of our party. They are merely a pressure group.
“No section of the LP constitution ceded the control of the party to the NLC or TUC.
“Furthermore, it is rather unfortunate that while some well-meaning members of the party are striving and making attempts to steer the ship of the nation on the path of growth and genuine development towards the repositioning of our party for victory in 2027, the NLC and its political commission are determined to destroy, tear down and demolish the party on the quest for personal aggrandisement.”
Obiora Ifoh, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, clarified that Abdulsalam, the appointed interim chairman, was previously removed from his position due to alleged anti-party activities.
He emphasized that the Labour Party already has a recognized leadership structure in Gombe State and that the conflict with the NLC has complicated matters.
“We are unaware of that development because the Labour Party has its leadership in Gombe State. We have LP chairmen in all the 36 states and the FCT. In Gombe, we already have a chairman who INEC is working with.
“Anybody can come out to claim he appoints somebody. Just like INEC, we are not aware of it.”
“The so-called appointed person, Abdulsalam, was a former chairman disengaged by LP for anti-party activities.
“A new leadership was elected into office after his exit. But because of the conflict we had with the NLC, the same man went around to congress and they recognised him.
“However, I think it is a mere recognition and not an appointment in the true sense. But we are not interested in joining issues with anybody in the media. For now, we are gradually working towards resolving the crisis between LP and NLC,” he added.