Factional National Leader of Labour Party (LP), Lamidi Apapa has described the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi as a “liar”.
He said this while interacting with the media after Wednesday’s fracas at the presidential election petition court (PEPC) in Abuja.
Apapa, who has maintained that he is the authentic LP National Chairman, had to deal with bitter exchanges inside the PEPC over sitting arrangements before being booed by supporters of the party as he emerged from the tribunal, while his cap was removed from his head.
During his media briefing, Apapa accused Obi of taking sides in the crisis presently rocking the party.
Obi has not hidden his support for Julius Abure, the substantive National Chairman who was last month removed by the court.
“He (Obi) deserves to be exposed,” Apapa said.
Apapa said Obi denied knowing him in an interview he recently granted, describing the claim as a “lie”.
He said he had tried to protect Obi’s image but would no longer do so.
“On Peter Obi taking sides, I don’t want to expose him, but he deserves to be exposed. Sometime ago, in one of the interviews he (Obi) granted, he said he does not know me at all.
“I have been trying to cover him, but he does not deserve it. The reasons are this: This is a man, during his primary in Asaba, I did the opening prayer. And I was not a young officer. I was the deputy national chairman of the party. I have been 21 years in this party. I have held a lot of positions in this party to the level I am today.
“Obi’s first campaign started in Benin. I was in Benin with him. And we used his aircraft from Benin back to Abuja–chartered plane. Not only that, when he came to Ekiti (Afe Babalola University), I led the team that hosted him in that campus. We were there for over two hours. I led the team to the palace. And he doesn’t know me?”
Apapa also vehemently rejected claims that he has been bribed by external forces to wreak havoc in the party.
He challenged anyone with evidence of such bribery to come forward with it.
“On the allegation of bribe taking, it’s not true. If you have your evidence to prove, bring your evidence that I have collected money or we’ve collected money from anybody. It’s absolutely untrue,” the factional chairman said.
Meanwhile, Apapa cursed a young man who removed his cap during the fracas at the PEPC.
Hey John Ogunsemore,
Lamidi Apapa’s comments about Peter Obi provide an exciting dimension to the LP party’s crisis.
Apapa believes Obi has taken sides and lied about not knowing him in an interview recently.
It is incredible how Apapa tried to protect Obi’s image before he felt compelled to expose him due to his recent conduct.
He cited several occasions where they had interacted intimately during Obi’s primary in Asaba and Benin, as well as when he hosted a team led by Apapa at Afe Babalola University for two hours.
It would appear that Apapa’s patience eventually ran out, and his loyalty was no longer enough.
It is also enlightening to note how Apapa challenged anyone with evidence of bribery against him to come forward.
This clearly shows he is confident of vindication since there has been speculation about possible external forces influencing the crisis within LP.
From my experiences, I know people guilty of certain crimes usually prefer their accusers remain silent or face intimidation rather than provide proof of their innocence.
I’m sure this article will open up debates about the rift between Obi and Apapa and issues surrounding corruption and power politics in Nigeria.