It's good for the house to remain one – Tanko on Abure, Apapa’s LP factions ending rift

A former spokesman for the defunct Obi-Datti presidential campaign council, Yunusa Tanko, has described the unity between factions loyal to the Deputy Chairman, Lamidi Apapa, and the National Chairman, Julius Abure, as a welcome development for the Labour Party.

Tanko, a key campaign member, noted that both factions have a common purpose for deciding to put aside their differences and work together.

He made this known in an interview with Daily Post, emphasizing that politics is dynamic and changes can occur at any time.

Tanko said: “Politics is dynamic and anything can happen at any time. If they have decided to work together, they may have a common purpose. If it’s for the interest of everybody, why not? If it’s for another purpose, we can question it. It’s good for the party to remain united if that was the goal.”

Since April 2023, Abure and Apapa have been in conflict. In April, a court restrained Abure and three other executives from acting as national officers of the party. However, Abure fought back to retain his seat with the support of the parent body, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), led by its National President, Joe Ajaero.

Abure's relationship with the NLC deteriorated after a controversial national convention in Anambra that reinstated Abure and his loyalists. This led to the NLC withdrawing its support for Abure and establishing a transition committee to organize a new convention.