The Labour Party (LP) has strongly condemned an alleged attempt by former Finance Minister, Senator Nenadi Usman, to engage in a political transaction on behalf of the party, calling it “shameful and audacious.”
In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the LP distanced itself from any coalition talks, alliances, or mergers, insisting that Usman had no authority to negotiate on its behalf.
The party also revealed that Usman, a former member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), had never been a registered Labour Party member and was unknown at any party level.
“We are not in any discussion with any individual or group on matters of coalition, alliance, or merger. It is preposterous for Nenadi Usman, who is neither an executive nor a card-carrying member, to attempt to auction our party to her former mentor, Nasiru el-Rufai,” Ifoh stated.
The statement further described Usman’s recent political activities as an “exposed double game,” accusing her of attending a Social Democratic Party (SDP) event to witness el-Rufai’s defection while falsely claiming to represent Labour Party interests.
The party also reminded the public that Usman had previously lost court cases in her attempt to sack the Labour Party’s executives. It accused her of illegally holding on to a defunct “transitional chairman” position, whose tenure had long expired.
The Labour Party reaffirmed its stance against transactional politics and warned that any attempts to manipulate or trade the party for political gain would be fiercely resisted.
“If Nenadi Usman wants to join another political party, she is free to do so, but transacting with Labour Party is clearly criminal,” the statement read.
This latest controversy has added to the ongoing internal struggles within the Labour Party, as it continues to fend off external political interests attempting to assert control over its structure.
