By Anthony Ogbekile

Lamidi Apapa and Peter Obi

An Owerri Appellate Court sitting in Abuja has reinstated Lamidi Apapa, as the authentic National Chairman of the Labour Party, LP. The Court gave its judgment on Thursday in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. Recall that the Owerri Appellate Court was earlier relocated to Abuja over insecurity. Reacting to the Appeal Court judgment, Ikenga Ikechukwu Ukaegbu said that his candidacy in the November 11 Imo governorship election has been authenticated. Ikenga described the Appeal Court’s ruling as expected, expressing confidence in the judiciary being the last hope of the common man. He said,”the Appeal Court has given its judgment by reaffirming Lamidi Apapa the National Chairman of the Labour Party. With the judgement, governorship candidates of Imo state, Bayelsa and Kogi who emerged winners of the April 16 LP governorship primaries held concurrently in the three states under the Lamidi Apapa-led national leadership, have been automatically reinstated. “The state party primary held on April 16, 2023 and i emerged the candidate. The exercise was conducted by the National Chairman of the party who is Lamidi Apapa. I also heard that the Julius Abure-led leadership also had a parallel primary on the 15th of April and produced Athan Achonu as their candidate. “It is true that our Presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, visited Imo state a few days ago to flag off Labour Party governorship campaign, the visit was for the benefit of the party and its members. The Presidential candidate reserves no power nor right to appoint or choose who becomes the candidate of the party. When the party fails to do the needful, Court does. That is what has exactly happened. “I call on Senator Athan Achonu, as a true democrat and a party man who wants the best for the LP to align forces with me come November 11 election.”