LP Dismisses Atiku’s Claims of N50 Million Bribes, Demands Proof
The Labour Party (LP) has rejected the claims made by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of offering N50 million each to opposition leaders to create crises within their parties. Atiku made the accusation during a national conference on strengthening democracy in Abuja on Monday, alleging that the ruling APC government was trying to destabilize the opposition by bribing key figures.
In response, LP’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, issued a statement dismissing the allegations, emphasizing that the party’s leadership has “never received a dime from any individual, group, organization, or government” outside of the Labour Party itself. Ifoh criticized Atiku’s statement as being “wild, unguarded, and unfounded,” and suggested that it was based on unverified gossip.
The statement continued: “We are shocked that a seasoned politician like Atiku, who has spent his career contesting elections, would make such reckless and baseless claims. The Labour Party, as the strongest opposition party, has always been transparent and accountable. We’ve run a frugal administration and have not received any external financial support. Our leadership remains committed to our ideals and has not accepted salaries from anyone outside the party.”
Ifoh further emphasized that LP’s financial dealings are publicly available for verification, and pointed out that the claims made by Atiku lacked tangible proof. The party also noted that “salaries are not hidden,” making it easy to verify who is receiving government payments.
The Labour Party condemned Atiku’s remarks as “demeaning” and “reckless,” and expressed frustration that opposition leaders are being belittled rather than respected for their role in sustaining democracy. “The opposition is crucial for checks and balances in any democracy. It is disheartening when leaders undermine these efforts,” the statement read.
The LP called on Atiku to provide solid evidence to back his accusations, warning that without proof, his statements would be seen as politically motivated and unreliable. The party also urged him to refrain from making blanket allegations against the opposition without clear substantiation.
