Labour Party Denies Receiving Bribe, Challenges Atiku to Provide Evidence

The Labour Party (LP) has dismissed allegations that its leadership received bribes from the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government, as claimed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

Atiku, speaking at a national conference on strengthening democracy in Abuja on Monday, accused the ruling APC of offering N50 million each to certain individuals to create crises within opposition parties.

In response, LP’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, issued a statement denying the claim, asserting that the party has “never received a dime from any individual, group, organization, or government that is not part of the Labour Party.”

The party criticized Atiku for making what it described as an “unguarded and unfounded statement” without presenting tangible evidence.

“We are shocked that a high-caliber politician who has contested elections all his life and is often regarded as experienced could make such a wild claim based on hearsay from an unnamed source,” the statement read.

LP emphasized that it has remained a strong opposition party, running on internally generated funds without external support.

It also noted that its leadership has not received salaries from any government entity, stating that such records are publicly verifiable.

The party urged Atiku to be cautious with his allegations and to provide concrete evidence to support his claims.

“The opposition is the oxygen of any virile democracy, ensuring checks on those in power.

It is therefore frustrating and unpatriotic when leaders who should know better choose to denigrate the opposition and undermine their sacrifices,” the statement added.

LP concluded by challenging Atiku to substantiate his allegations, warning that failure to do so would render his claims politically motivated and questionable in the eyes of Nigerians.