The Lamidi Apapa-led faction of the Labour Party (LP) has publicly acknowledged its defeat in the 2023 Presidential election held on February 25. The faction, led by Lamidi Apapa, admitted that the party’s Presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, and party member Mr. Julius Abure were fully aware of the true outcome of the election.
This candid admission was conveyed in an official statement released by Abayomi Arabambi, the spokesperson for the Apapa-led faction of the party. Arabambi expressed solidarity with Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, who recently made remarks about Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election during an event in South Africa.
Arabambi criticized the actions of certain members of the party who, instead of introspectively analyzing the election results and strategizing for the future, have chosen to attack Prof. Soyinka for stating what is perceived as an undeniable truth. He remarked, “it is condemnable and highly disturbing that rather than going back to the drawing board to meticulously examine where things have fallen apart and re-strategize for 2027 elections, some irredentist masquerading as members of the Labour Party have chosen to be attacking the highly revered scholar for only re-echoing the truth that is not hidden to discerning Nigerians.”
Arabambi also commented on the response of Julius Abure, the factional Chairman, who, through his personal media aide, Mr. Obiorah Ifoh, had reacted strongly to Soyinka’s statement. Arabambi characterized Abure’s response as “affront and abuse from a rude boy to his grandfather.”
Highlighting the widespread doubts about Peter Obi’s chances in the election, Arabambi recalled that even Prof. Charles Soludo, the governor of Anambra State, where Obi hails from, had expressed skepticism about Obi’s ability to secure a high position in the presidential race, let alone win it.
Arabambi went on to emphasize that the Labour Party did not possess any substantial evidence to support its claim of victory, describing it as “absolute judicial madness on display by Peter Obi, Julius Abure, and their blind allies.” He criticized the lack of polling unit result sheets and agents in many polling units and questioned how a candidate could declare victory under such circumstances.
In a parting shot, Arabambi asserted that the Labour Party, under Peter Obi’s leadership, had regrettably been reduced to a regional party with a focus on national officers of Igbo extraction, highlighting the failure to plan adequately for the 2023 elections, which resulted in poor logistics and severe consequences for the party.
This open acknowledgment of defeat by the Lamidi Apapa-led faction is sure to raise further questions about the future direction of the Labour Party and the potential for unity within its ranks.
