The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Labour Party (LP) has suspended the Acting National Chairman, Lamidi Apapa and five others for alleged anti-party activities.
Other key members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party suspended by the NEC include Alhaji Salem Lawal, Prince Favour Reuben, Gbenga Daramola, Samuel Akingbade, and Mohammed Akali.
Some members including Ansalem Eragbe, the party’s national youth leader, and Abayomi Arabambe, the acting publicity secretary, were, however, expelled from the party after being found guilty of anti-party activities.
The LP took the sweeping decision at its emergency NEC meeting held on Tuesday in Asaba, the Delta State capital.
A communique issued at the end of the meeting said the decision was taken after the meeting examined the anti-party activities of its members and made several recommendations.
The communique was signed by Ladi Iliya, the party’s Deputy National Chairman, and Prince Kennedy Ohanotu, the Deputy National Secretary, now Acting National Youth Leader of the party.
It announced the filling of several vacant positions and extended the tenure of the current National Working Committee (NWC) for twelve months, citing the need to remain focused and re-organise the party.
Prince Kennedy Ahanotu is to serve as Acting National Youth Leader; Mr Obiorah Ifoh, Acting National Publicity Secretary; Barr Edun Kehinde, Acting National Legal Adviser; Rotimi Adekunle, Acting National Deputy Secretary; and Chief Anthony Ezeagwu, Acting National Vice-Chairman (South-South).
Meanwhile, the LP has constituted a disciplinary committee to try the erring members and make recommendations to the NEC. The committee comprises of Ladi Iliya, Rotimi Adekunle, Prince Kennedy Ahanotu, Yunusa Tanko, and Chief Tony Ezeagwu.
A Publicity Committee was also set up with Dr Yunusa Tanko as the head, and Barrister Kenneth Okonkwo, Nollywood actor, as member.
Prominent party members including Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the LP; Valentine Ozigbo, Anambra former gubernatorial candidate; Senator Victor Umeh and some lawmakers-elect at the National Assembly attended the meeting.
Others include representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the General-Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Barr Emma Ugboaja, and General-Secretary of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nuhu Abba Toro.
