Video: Drama as Apapa, Abure Factions of Labour party fight in Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal

There was drama in Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal (PEPT) as Lamidi Apapa led faction clashed with Julius Abure Factions in court room.

They were in court to represent Labour party in the case against declaration of Bola Tinubu as President-elect.

Apapa claimed that he has the right to represent the party in court at the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal.

The fight started when Apapa wanted to occupy the seat already reserved for the Chairman of Labour party.

The justices arrived to commence the day’s proceedings and also refused to acknowledge the representation of the party aside the presidential candidate of the party, Peter Obi, who is present in court.

The Tribunal refused to take an appearance for the LP as acting National Chairman of the party, Lamidi Apapa, as well as the National Women’s Leader of the party, Dudu Manugu, tried to make an appearance for Labour Party when the petition was called.

Justice Haruna Tsamani noted that if two persons are making an appearance for the party, they will not be put on record.

It could be recalled that federal capital territory (FCT) high court had dismissed the objection raised by Julius Abure challenging his removal as chairman of the Labour Party (LP).

Ruling on an ex parte application on April 5, the presiding judge, Hamza Muazu had restrained Abure and three others — Farouk Ibrahim, Clement Ojukwu, and Oluchi Opara — from acting as national officers of the LP.

The plaintiffs in the suit marked CV/2930/2023 told the court that the defendants forged several documents of the FCT high court to carry out unlawful substitutions in the last elections.

The suit was filed by Martins Esikpali John, Lucky Shaibu, Isah Zekeri, Omogbai Frank, Abokhaiu Aliu, Ayohkaire Lateef, John Elomah and Ayobami Arabambi.

The defendants, through their lawyer, Alex Ejesieme, filed a preliminary objection against the suit.

Ejesieme said the allegation of forgery against his clients cannot be brought before the court through originating summon.

He also alleged that the plaintiffs are not members of the LP and therefore, lack the locus standi to institute the suit.

The counsel said the matter borders on the internal issues of the party which the court cannot interfere with.

Ruling on the application on Friday, the judge held the court has jurisdiction to adjudicate on issues relating to the party’s internal affairs.

The judge noted that if the party had been at peace, there would be no need for the court to interfere in its affairs.

“When there is no crack on the wall, there will not be need for an outsider to come to mend it,” he said.