The Labour Party says it is not aware of any bribe alleged to have been paid to the leadership of opposition parties in Nigeria by the All Progressives Congress, APC, led government as alleged by former vice president, Atiku Abubakar.
Recall that Atiku, while speaking at a national conference on strengthening democracy held in Abuja on Monday, accused the ruling APC of offering N50 million each to some persons to instigate crisis in the opposition parties.
Reacting, LP in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh denied the claim, saying that the party’s leadership has “never received a dime from any individual, group, organisation or government who are not members of the Labour Party”.
According to the statement, it is improper for the Atiku to “throw a shade at the entire opposition without also putting forward a tangible proof other than a ‘gossip’ from an unnamed source”.
The statement reads, “We are shocked that a high caliber politician who has contested the election all his life and is often regarded as a very experienced politician could make such a wild, unguarded and unfounded statement.
“For us in the Labour Party, a party which has remained the strongest and most veritable opposition and which speaks truth to power; a party that led the most serious campaign in the 2023 general election and has been steadfast and has remained the voice of the people, we view that statement as demeaning, ignominious, reckless and a let down from someone like Atiku Abubakar.
“We want to put it on record that the Labour Party has run a frugal administration from funds internally generated, having not received support from our elected representatives. And in spite of the challenges the party has faced in the recent past, the leadership of the party has remained solid and committed to the ideals of the party.
“The leadership has not received any salary from anybody. Salaries are not hidden and it is not difficult to verify who and who are on the government payroll. It is a public document and it can be verified. We therefore advise Atiku to be circumspect and careful in generalizing certain allegations. We expect him to speak for himself and his party.
“The opposition is the oxygen of any virile democracy, because it helps put the government in power in proper checks while also ensuring inclusivity in democratic participation. Democracy without opposition is an autocracy and it takes a lot of sacrifices to sustain opposition.
“It is therefore frustrating and unpatriotic when leaders who ought to know better, begin to derive joy in denigrating the opposition camp and making jests of their sacrifices.
“We are therefore calling on Atiku Abubakar to provide concrete evidence to substantiate his allegations without which Nigerians will be forced to take every other of his statements with a pinch of salt and are politically motivated”.
