N50m bribe: LP fires back at Atiku, says we’re not under APC’s payroll

The Labour Party has dismissed allegations made by former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, claiming that opposition party leaders are on the payroll of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Atiku had alleged that the APC was offering N50 million to leaders of various opposition parties to prevent them from effectively holding the ruling party accountable.

In a statement released on Wednesday, January 29, the Labour Party spokesperson, Obiora Ifoh, categorically denied the claim, stating that the party’s leadership was unaware of any such bribe.

He said, “The party has however expressed shock and disbelief by the revelation from one of the leading political figures and former vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, insisting that it would be improper for the politician to throw a shade at the entire opposition without also putting forward a tangible proof other than a ‘gossip’ from an unnamed source.”

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He added that the leadership of the Labour Party is surprised that such a high-ranking politician would make such a wild claim.

Describing the Labour Party as the strongest and most veritable opposition, Ifoh said the party has remained constant in speaking truth to power at all times.

“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,” he said.

Stating that the opposition is the oxygen which sustains the democracy of every country, Ifoh further called on Atiku to provide concrete evidence to substantiate his allegations.