In the latest twist of the internal crisis polarizing the Labour Party (LP), the leadership of the party has threatened to sack any of its elected officials and members who join the suspended National Vice Chairman, Lamidi Apapa and his group.
Recall that Apapa and some other suspended members of the party had convened a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Bauchi State on Wednesday and invited the presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi and other NEC members.
However, on Wednesday, Deputy National Chairman, Ladi Iliya, at a press conference in Abuja threatened that “Whoever we find dining with these people will lose their seat.”
Iliya who described the Bauchi NEC meeting by Apapa and his group as illegal, asserted that here is no faction within the LP.
“Labour Party is one and we are united. If people who have been suspended regroup, you know that they are causing distractions.
“We know the hotel they are staying in now they cannot afford it. The NLC (Nigeria Labour Congress) and TUC (Trade Union Congress) are the custodians of this party. Anyone they don’t approve of is not part of it.
“You can see that this house is intact and we are not divided. We are a responsible party and we will continue to be responsible,” she assured.
Acting National Publicity Secretary Obiora Ifoh who read the text of the press conference, said Obi, state party chairmen and other LP members invited to the Bauchi NEC meeting, rejected the invitation.
According to him, “All the state chairmen of our party across all the 36 states and FCT, are here seated with us.
“Only last night, all our 36 members-elect of the House of Representatives and our eight Senators-elect were represented in a caucus meeting held with the National Working Committee.
“Then again, I ask, who are these NEC members they are hoping to attend their jamboree in Bauchi?”