Lamidi Apapa, who emerged as a factional leader, has given the legal team of the party's presidential candidate, Peter Obi, a 48-hour ultimatum to brief him on the latest developments in the ongoing presidential election petitions tribunal. This ultimatum was issued on May 12, Friday, after Apapa convened a parallel meeting of the National Executive Council of the party in Bauchi state. The meeting was held following a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja, which recognized Apapa as the acting national chairman of the party. Justice Hamza Muazu, who presided over the case, also announced that he would hear the substantive matter and adjourned the case till May 19, Friday, for further deliberation. In his statement, Apapa asserted his authority over the party and demanded updates from Peter Obi's legal team, stating that he was in charge and in the driver's seat. He said, "There is no doubt that I am now in charge. It has now been confirmed by the court that I have the right to be in charge until another order takes place. As of today, I am the acting national chairman of the party and any other person that parades himself as the chairman is doing so illegally. I want to invite all the lawyers that are in charge, representing Labour Party at the election tribunal, to give me updates in the next 48 hours because I am the one in charge and the one in the driver’s seat."
Meanwhile, the Federal High Court ruling has sparked reactions on social media, with some people congratulating Apapa on his victory. Daddy D.O, a Twitter user, tweeted, "Congratulations to Pa Lamidi Apapa on his big win at the court. E ni sun!!"
Congratulations to Pa Lamidi Apapa on his big win at the court. E ni sun!! https://t.co/YXD2PIaGEF
— Daddy D.O🇳🇬 (@DOlusegun) May 12, 2023
