Lamidi Apapa ex-Labour Party Factional Chairman Returns to Former Job as Mortuary Attendant

Fresh controversy has emerged within Nigeria’s opposition political space following claims that Lamidi Apapa, a factional chairman of the Labour Party (LP), has resumed his previous role as a mortuary attendant at Alafiatayo Hospital in Ibadan.

The development, which has circulated widely on social and political platforms, comes amid lingering divisions within the Labour Party after the 2023 general elections. Apapa, who led a breakaway faction during the party’s internal leadership crisis, had faced significant criticism from party loyalists who accused him of undermining the party’s unity at a crucial time.

Political commentators and party supporters have linked his reported return to private employment with broader allegations that he was politically sidelined after serving interests aligned with the ruling establishment. Some critics have specifically pointed fingers at Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alleging that Apapa’s actions during the crisis indirectly benefited the ruling party. However, these claims remain speculative and have not been independently verified.

Meanwhile, the situation has sparked fresh warnings for other political actors navigating factional disputes. Observers have drawn parallels with Nafiu Bala, a factional chairman within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), suggesting that internal divisions within opposition parties often carry long-term consequences for those involved.

As of the time of this report, neither Apapa nor representatives of the Labour Party have issued an official statement confirming or denying the claims about his employment status. The hospital mentioned has also not publicly addressed the reports.

The unfolding situation highlights the persistent instability within opposition parties in Nigeria and raises questions about the personal and political costs of factional alignments in the country’s evolving democratic landscape.