Factional leaders of the Labour Party have thrown caution to the wind by clashing at the open court over who is the authentic one to represent the party at the Presidential Election Petition court sitting in Abuja.
In the presence of the presidential candidate of the party in the last general elections, Obi, the factions engaged themselves for recognition and to be recorded as the official representatives of the party in the pre-hearing of Obi’s petition.
The mild drama started when Mrs Dudu Maluga, who introduced herself as National Women Leader of the Party and the one to be recognized as representative of the party.
Lamidi Apapa who claimed to be the acting National Chairman of the party also announced representation of the party.
Following the confusion that ensued, the Chairman of the Court, Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani, ruled against the two factions that the court would not recognize or record their respective presence as representatives of the party.
The two factions were, however, allowed to remain in the courtroom but without being recognized.
Obi, who was in the court to witness proceedings, kept mute while the drama lasted.
After the court proceedings, journalists made attempt to interview Apapa but the faction loyal to Abure frustrated the efforts.
The two factions later engaged in a free for all at the court of appeal’s premises but security operatives quickly intervened and calmed the situation down.
Meanwhile, the petition filed by Obi and his party has been adjourned till May 19 for further hearing.
The petition is challenging the declaration of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress Bola Tinubu as the winner of the 2023 election by the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC.
